It was a better start to the weekend for Arsenal’s loanees in action across Friday and Saturday’s range of European fixtures.
ENGLAND
Jack Wilshere started for Bournemouth against Tottenham but cae off before the hour mark with an ankle problem. He was later spotted wearing a protective boot while on crutches. A Bournemouth spokesperson said this was a ‘precaution’.
Krystian Bielik started and completed the full 90 minutes during Birmingham’s 1-1 draw with Rotherham. Brave in the air, composed out of possession and showing good spatial awareness during dangerous moments, the Polish defender was quietly effective whilst others struggled to contend with the hosts’ counter-attacking threat. He was booked midway through the first-half.
Stevenage lost 1-0 at home against Morecambe, with Kaylen Hinds featuring sparingly in the second-half. The forward played the final ten minutes but was ultimately unable to help avoid defeat.
Hit ‘next’ to see Ismael Bennacer’s screamer…
FRANCE
Ismael Bennacer scored his first goal for Tours during their 3-1 win over Sochaux. On the stroke of half-time, the midfielder stepped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the area.
Watch his finish here:
Bennacer played 89 minutes before being substituted as the hosts saw out an important victory, leaving them four points clear of the relegation places.
See Jon Toral’s Rangers goal next…
SCOTLAND
Jon Toral scored his second goal in Rangers colours during their 2-1 win over Partick Thistle, where he played 84 minutes. Operating as the lone attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation, he doubled their lead just under ten minutes after the interval. Linking up effortlessly with Emerson Hyndman, he followed the American’s run inside the area and was able to apply the finish touch from close-range.
https://twitter.com/adamrobertsons/status/853264933332668418
NETHERLANDS
Kelechi Nwakali started and completed the full 90 during MVV Maastricht’s 2-2 draw with FC Emmen. The hosts managed to recover a two-goal deficit, but the creative, attack-minded teenager was booked in the final few minutes.
Gedion Zelalem was a second-half substitute as VVV-Venlo won 2-1 away against RKC Waalwijk. Coming off the bench with just over 20 minutes to play, the German will be naturally hoping for more of an opportunity than just cameo performances.
Tafari Moore started and completed the full 90 minutes for Utrecht II, but they lost 2-1 against Almere City FC.
Once again, Aaron Eyoma didn’t feature as Volendam drew 2-2 with De Graafschap. There has mysteriously been no news on his progress since the loan switch in January and he wasn’t involved in the matchday squad altogether.
PORTUGAL
Joel Campbell didn’t feature in the matchday squad altogether, as Sporting were 3-0 winners over Vitória Setúbal on Friday evening. He was dropped, with highly-rated midfielder Ryan Gauld making an appearance.
ITALY
Wojciech Szczesny didn’t have much to do during Roma’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta on Saturday in the Serie A. Unfortunately, he could do nothing to stop Jasmin Kurtic’s opener after 22 minutes – a fierce effort which flew into the bottom corner in a flash. As a result, Roma’s hopes of catching league leaders Juventus with six games remaining are heavily dented.