WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 08: Reiss Nelson of Hoffenheim (L) fights for the ball with Maximilian Arnold of Wolfsburg during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Volkswagen Arena on December 8, 2018 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Bongarts/Getty Images)

From Asano to Nelson: Arsenal loanee player ratings for 2018/19 so far

Dec 10, 2018

Four months into the season, Arsenal’s loanees have had time to settle at their temporary clubs, so let’s have a look at how each of them is doing.

3Kelechi Nwakali

NARASHINO, JAPAN - MAY 21: Takuma Asano of Japan in action during a Japan training session at Akitsu Football Field on May 21, 2018 in Narashino, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) — NARASHINO, JAPAN – MAY 21: Takuma Asano of Japan in action during a Japan training session at Akitsu Football Field on May 21, 2018, in Narashino, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Position: Second Striker
Loaned to: Hannover 96 – Bundesliga
Appearances: 8
Goals: 1
Assists: 1

Asano had a fantastic pre-season with Hannover, scoring or assisting pretty much every game in a long preparation period. When the season began, he kept that going with a goal and assist in his first game, but didn’t so well in his first three league games.

After that, he dropped to the bench, making a couple of brief substitute appearances. Then an injury forced him out of the team, and he didn’t return until last weekend.

If we only look at the competitive matches, Asano really needs to be making more of an impact. He certainly needs more time on the pitch. However, he did start in Hannover’s 1-1 draw on Sunday, playing 78 minutes, his longest appearance so far.

With any luck, that’s a sign that he’ll be involved more often from now on. So far, though, it’s hard to find too many positives.

Loan rating: 3/10

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