James Olayinka is still working his way back to fitness after needing an operation on an injury at the end of last season.

James Olayinka of Southend in action during Sky Bet League Two match between Southend and Barrow AFC at Roots Hall in Southend, UK - 9th January 2021. Copyright: Holly Allison / TPI / Shutterstock
James Olayinka of Southend in action during Sky Bet League Two match between Southend and Barrow AFC at Roots Hall in Southend, UK – 9th January 2021. Copyright: Holly Allison / TPI / Shutterstock

With a couple of months of last season left to go, James Olayinka was on loan with Southend United, and his temporary manager confirmed that the Arsenal youngster would need an operation on a groin issue.

But the problem wasn’t bad enough at the time to rule him out immediately, so they put the surgery off until the end of the campaign. As a result, he was still making appearances right up until the final day of the season, May 8th.

After that, he had his operation, but he’s yet to return to the action with Arsenal. The midfielder didn’t feature in pre-season and is yet to play any part in the competitive campaign.

Jeorge Bird reports that the 20-year-old is working his way back to fitness following his injury, so hopefully it won’t be too long now.

Though the timing of the operation allowed Arsenal to minimise the amount of match action Olayinka missed, it is also a bit of a shame that it effectively ruled him out of a summer transfer. Another loan or a permanent move would probably have been good for him.

Ideally, the youngster will return to action and have a really positive impact with the u23s over the next few months, then he can move on loan in the January transfer window.