All of the Arsenal men’s loanees were in action over the weekend, but it was largely a disappointing couple of days of games.
Starting with the positive take on the weekend’s Arsenal loan action, the good news was that all four Gunners youngsters were involved in matches.
Tommy Setford played 90 minutes for Stevenage, Ismeal Kabia played 77 for St. Mirren, Ethan Nwaneri got 62 minutes for Borussia Dortmund, and Charles Sagoe Jr. played the full 90 for Kalmar FF.
It’s obviously great for Arsenal that all of their players are currently starting matches on a weekly basis, which is what you want from your loan moves.
As for the results, those weren’t quite as encouraging. Setford started the weekend off with a defeat away to Leyton Orient, and he didn’t make a save in the 1-0 loss.
In fairness, the only save Setford possibly could have made was a rocket of a shot that he was largely powerless to stop.
Kabia then played in a 3-0 home defeat to Dundee United, and whilst St. Mirren’s problems went a lot further than the Arsenal winger, he’ll want to get off the mark with a goal or assist soon.
Things were a little better for Nwaneri with Dortmund, as they won 1-0 away to Stuttgart. But they scored their only goal after he came off, despite a decent enough individual performance from the English youngster.
Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come, as Sagoe Jr. and Kalmar were thrashed 5-0 at home to BK Hacken on Sunday. The Arsenal winger was one of the team’s better players, but that wasn’t a big ask on the day.
The international break is now underway, and Setford and Nwaneri are linking up with the England u21s. Stevenage will play in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday in Setford’s absence.
The Scottish Premiership and Swedish Allsvenskan are on hold for the break, so Kabia and Sagoe Jr. will have a couple of weeks to regroup.
- Arsenal loanee denied bicycle-kick goal by refereeArsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri was denied a bicycle-kick goal for Borussia Dortmund over the weekend, due to a foul in the build-up.
- Premier League executives discuss suspending Manchester CityPremier League executives were discussing on Sunday whether the league should immediately suspend Manchester City from the competition, but that option is viewed as almost impossible.
- Mourinho makes unprompted remark about Arteta & ArsenalJose Mourinho has made a bizarre dig at Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, suggesting the manager’s new contract shouldn’t happen at Real Madrid.
- 2nd Arsenal player also picked up injury in post-Leeds warm-downMartin Zubimendi picked up a knock in Arsenal’s warm-down following Saturday’s match against Leeds United, according to a report.
- Mikel Arteta admits to selection dilemmaMikel Arteta has admitted that Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard gave him a selection problem over the weekend, having both played so well over the international break.