Five Arsenal loanees played important roles in Championship promotion and relegation battles over the weekend, with mixed fortunes for the young Gunners.
Weekend round-up of Gunners on loan
Five Arsenal loanees experienced the highs and lows of Championship football over the weekend as the battles for promotion and relegation heat up.
Rekik’s contribution to Wigan’s survival fight
Omar Rekik played the full 90 minutes for Wigan Athletic, helping them secure a vital 1-0 win against QPR. Although still bottom of the table, Wigan are now only one point behind Blackpool.
Patino and Trusty’s mixed fortunes
Blackpool introduced Charlie Patino at half-time during their 3-1 defeat against Preston North End, leaving them four points from safety.
Auston Trusty, on the other hand, contributed to Birmingham City’s recent winning streak, virtually securing their place in the division for next season.
Norwich and Coventry’s promotion race
Marquinhos played the full match for Norwich City, who lost 1-0 to Sheffield United, extending their winless run to four games.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy also featured in Coventry City’s 4-0 defeat to Stoke City, with both teams now level on points in the race for promotion.
Maitland-Niles and Southampton’s Premier League struggle
Ainsley Maitland-Niles couldn’t prevent Southampton’s 1-0 loss to West Ham United, leaving them at the bottom of the Premier League table, three points from safety.
Other loanees in action
Cedric, Sambi Lokonga, Mazeed Ogungbo, Nuno Tavares, Folarin Balogun, Nicolas Pepe, Arthur Okonkwo, Pablo Mari, Alex Runarsson, Nikolaj Moller, and Ovie Ejeheri all featured for their respective loan clubs over the weekend.
Mazeed Ogungbo scored his first professional goal for Crawley Town, but they lost 4-1 to Mansfield Town, remaining just above the League Two drop zone.
In France, Nuno Tavares featured in Marseille’s 1-1 draw against Montpellier, and was then kicked out of Marseille training, Folarin Balogun assisted in Reims’ 3-0 victory over Nantes, and Nicolas Pepe played in Nice’s 1-1 draw with Angers.
Elsewhere, Arthur Okonkwo’s Sturm Graz closed in on Red Bull Salzburg, Pablo Mari’s Monza lost to Lazio, and Alex Runarsson’s Alanyaspor drew with Giresunspor. Nikolaj Moller and Ovie Ejeheri also saw action, while Alex Kirk’s Ayr United stint might be over due to an ankle injury.