After much hope of first-team football to continue boosting his development, things have since gone sour for Arsenal’s Cohen Bramall during his loan spell at Birmingham City.

The 22-year-old left back joined Birmingham on a season-long loan in an effort to gain more senior experience. Since his move from Hednesford Town last January, Bramall has had little exposure to first-team professional football.

The loan to Birmingham was designed to rectify that, with then-manager Harry Redknapp being impressed with the reports he got from Arsenal. Featuring in the Championship and Carabao Cup represented an encouraging start. However, he hasn’t played at all since then.

In fact, he’s had just 90 minutes of first-team football and has been omitted entirely from five of Birmingham’s last six matchday squads. It’s a far from ideal situation for a player who doesn’t have the luxury of so much loan experience at this level.

Personally, I feel Birmingham’s reluctance to use him is likely due to a combination of a new manager and their inevitable battle with relegation this season. Should the situation not improve, Arsenal will likely recall him when the transfer re-opens in January.

Bramall’s prospects of breaking into the Arsenal first-team are low, given the performances of current first choice left wing-back Sead Kolasinac. Playing reserve football for Arsenal might not be an attractive proposition, however.