Arsenal loan star Miguel Azeez has seen limited game time at Wigan Athletic, leading to heated confrontations between Wigan boss Shaun Maloney and Azeez’s father.

• Miguel Azeez’s limited game time at Wigan Athletic sparks tension between Shaun Maloney and Azeez’s father
• Wigan Athletic relegated from the English Championship after a 1-1 draw with Reading
• Shaun Maloney expresses gratitude to his players for their effort despite unique challenges this season

Arsenal loanee Miguel Azeez has faced a challenging period at Wigan Athletic, leading to a heated confrontation between Wigan boss Shaun Maloney and Azeez’s father after the club’s relegation from the English Championship.

Wigan Athletic’s fate was sealed on Saturday following a 1-1 draw against Reading, with an injury-time equaliser confirming their demotion.

The club has faced multiple setbacks this season, including a points deduction during their survival bid. Shaun Maloney, the former Hibs manager, has endured a short, but difficult tenure at the English Championship side, although he still expressed gratitude to his players for their effort, despite the challenges.

Miguel Azeez, the Arsenal youngster, has been on loan at Wigan this season but has received no playing time under Maloney.

The situation led to a confrontation between the Wigan boss and the player’s father, along with Reading’s Femi Azeez, Miguel’s brother, after the relegation was confirmed.

Azeez Sr had previously commented on his son’s experience at the club, saying, “Miguel hasn’t really had an easy time there. He started with Kolo Toure and the new manager came in and hasn’t really trusted him, which has been disappointing.”

Azeez has not even been in the Wigan squad since 21 January, missing out on their last 17 matches. In total, he has played just 104 minutes for Wigan since his UD Ibiza loan was cancelled in order to send him to The Latics under Kolo Toure. Toure was sacked after just nine games in charge.

Despite the tension, Maloney acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding Wigan’s season and praised his players for their commitment. He said, “It’s really difficult…it was a really difficult feeling at the end, a very difficult day for everyone really.”

Maloney continued, “It’s just a real mixture of emotions, on a deeply painful day for everyone connected to the club. The players have given me everything, not just today but over the last 17 games. I couldn’t have asked any more from them in terms of effort.”

The Wigan boss added, “It’s been such a unique situation this season for the club. When we got the points deduction, I think we all knew it was going to be very difficult. But in terms of the [players], I just need to give them a big ‘thank you’ for everything they’ve given to me and also to the club.”

With two poor loans in one season, there will be much for Arsenal to ponder this summer in regards to Azeez, of whom big things are expected.

Azeez made eight starts and 11 appearances in Ibiza’s 19 games during his spell at the club, which isn’t a terrible record. But he struggled for games towards the end of his loan spell.