It was a mixed finish to the Easter weekend for Arsenal’s loanees in action across Europe.
Friday and Saturday loanwatch here including a two goals, one from a direct freekick
ENGLAND
Chuba Akpom came on for the final ten minutes as Brighton clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Wigan.
Krystian Bielik started and played the full 90 minutes during Birmingham’s disappointing 2-0 defeat against Burton Albion. Manager Gianfranco Zola resigned following the loss, which is unsurprising given their poor form in recent months since his appointment.
Bielik’s individual match statistics (per WhoScored):
– Six aerial duels won, 73 touches
– Two tackles, two interceptions, one clearance and a foul
– Three accurate long balls, 74.1% pass accuracy
Marc Bola started and completed the full match on a frustrating afternoon for Notts County as they were defeated 3-1 at home against Portsmouth. The left-back was booked in stoppage time.
Stevenage drew 1-1 away from home at Carlisle and did so with Kaylen Hinds operating as the lone striker in a 4-3-3 formation. Kaylen was replaced in second-half stoppage time and Darren Sarll’s tactical changes helped his side avoid a third consecutive league defeat.
SPAIN
Julio Pleguzuelo was given a rare start at centre-back and featured for the full 90 minutes during Mallorca’s 1-0 defeat against Real Zaragoza on Sunday.
It’s a genuine surprise that the 20-year-old hasn’t been recalled from his loan spell given such a lack of minutes – this was the first occasion in 2017 where he has started for Mallorca, with only two substitute appearances in January.
GERMANY
Takuma Asano started and completed the full 90 on the right-wing as VfB Stuttgart won late on against Arminia Bielefeld. The victory is a significant one as it takes them back above Hannover at the top of Germany’s second division.
Asano’s individual match statistics (source: WhoScored)
– Two shots, one on target, 57 touches
– Two aerial duels won, three interceptions and one clearance
– Fouled on three occasions, two completed dribbles, caught offside four times
NETHERLANDS
Daniel Crowley started and completed the full 90 for Go Ahead Eagles during their 2-0 away defeat at the hands of Willem II on Sunday afternoon.
Their third consecutive league defeat, it seems only a miracle will save them from relegation to the second tier with three games remaining.
Right-back Tafari Moore started once more but couldn’t help Utrecht II avoid defeat, as they lost 2-0 against Cambuur.
Gedion Zelalem was surprisingly left on the substitutes’ bench for VVV-Venlo’s goalless draw against FC Emmen. They only need a point from their remaining three games to clinch promotion into the Eredivisie and could’ve sealed top spot with a win here. Given Zelalem’s ability, it’s disappointing to see the midfielder not feature.
Kelechi Nwakali started and completed 84 minutes before being replaced as MVV Maastricht lost 2-0 by De Graafschap.
Where’s Aaron Eyoma? Volendam lost 2-1 at home against Achilles 29 and the versatile youngster was not involved once again.