Takuma Asano and Kelechi Nwakali are struggling to get games with their temporary clubs at the moment, leading to more questions over Arsenal’s loan system.

Over the summer, Asano and Nwakali joined Hannover 96 and FC Porto respectively. It was pretty clear from the off that Nwakali would start the season in Porto’s B team, whilst it was expected that Asano would play a part in Hannover’s starting XI.

That was how things went, at first. Asano started Hannover’s first four games, scoring one goal and assisting one. Meanwhile, Nwakali appeared in each of Porto B’s first four league games, playing in various positions across the middle of the pitch.

However, they’ve since struggled to get game time. In the second half of September Asano sat on the bench for three games, only coming on for one 25 minute appearance. He returned to the starting XI against Stuttgart but picked up a knock after 14 minutes. After the international break, he returned to the bench.

Meanwhile, instead of Nwakali slowly getting chances in the Porto first team, he isn’t playing at all. The midfielder hasn’t spent a single minute on the pitch since September 1st, and he only made the bench for Porto B once in that time.

Arsenal have really struggled to find the right loan clubs for players in recent seasons. The likes of Matt Macey and Reiss Nelson show how well it can work when you get it right, but so many have just ended up wasting years on the bench.

Then there are examples like David Ospina, where they really should’ve just left permanently. Plus the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock, who stayed with Arsenal academy but could easily be playing regular senior football elsewhere.

Hopefully, Asano and Nwakali return to the starting XI for their teams soon. If they don’t, Arsenal might have to have a rethink on their loan strategy at the end of the season.