Arsenal’s loan spells are mostly going pretty well so far, but their on-loan strikers both need a goal to get their seasons going.

Tyreece John-Jules of Blackpool FC is surrounded by Niall Huggins of Sunderland AFC and Jack Diamond of Sunderland AFC during the EFL Carabao Cup match between Blackpool and Sunderland at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, England on 24 August 2021. Copyright: Malcolm Mackenzie
Tyreece John-Jules of Blackpool FC is surrounded by Niall Huggins of Sunderland AFC and Jack Diamond of Sunderland AFC during the EFL Carabao Cup match between Blackpool and Sunderland at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, England on 24 August 2021. Copyright: Malcolm Mackenzie

There are plenty of positives across Arsenal’s current batch of loanees. Many have quickly become regulars, including Daniel Ballard, Harry Clarke, Matt Smith, William Saliba, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, Hector Bellerin, and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The likes of Dejan Iliev, Tom Smith, and Jordi Osei-Tutu have suffered injury setbacks, but all three are starting whenever they’re fit.

There are a few yet to fully break into their teams, including Jonathan Dinzeyi, Miguel Azeez, Reiss Nelson, and Runar Alex Runarsson, but it’s still early days. Especially since all four of them were loaned pretty late in the summer window.

But another concern is that Arsenal’s two loan strikers, Tyreece John-Jules and Nikolaj Moller, are both yet to score.

John-Jules has had pretty regular games since joining Blackpool in the Championship. He’s up to 12 appearances and nine starts in all competitions, completing 691 minutes on the pitch. He provided a couple of assists against Sunderland, but no goals yet.

As for Moller, he hasn’t played quite as regularly due to an infection and an injury, making five appearances and four starts. He’s completed 312 minutes in all, and again, he’s still waiting for his first goal.

John-Jules hasn’t always played up front, with Blackpool sometimes shifting him out to the wing, and Moller’s absences have certainly been disruptive, so there are mitigating factors.

But the wait for that first goal is always a bit of a mental barrier at a new club.

Once you get one, the goals can often start flowing. As much as anything else, more chances come your way, as your teammates are always more willing to play in the man in form. Arsenal will hope that’s the case with the two loan youngsters.

Blackpool next face Preston North End on Saturday at 15:00 BST, whilst Viktoria Koln play Borussia Dortmund II on Sunday at 12:00 BST.