Arsenal sent 20 players out on loan in the summer transfer window, but they have had mixed experiences as the season reaches its halfway point with some starring and others struggling
Arsenal have found it more difficult than expected to repeat their stunning title challenge of last season, with the Gunners currently fourth in the Premier League.
Boss Mikel Arteta has been linked with recalling a number of the club’s loan stars to boost his squad, which has been hit by injury. But the fortunes of the Gunners’ 20 loan stars has been decidedly mixed, with some excelling away from the Emirates and others struggling badly.
The players who were sent away in the summer range from former first-team stars to youngsters who are just breaking through. The majority are from the latter camp and are with lower league or non-league teams.
Arteta and his management team will have been keeping a close eye on those who have impressed, with potenial suitors also circling. Here, Mirror Football reports on how all 20 of Arsenal’s loan stars have fared.
Kieran Tierney
Though he has seen his appearances restricted by a hamstring injury, Kieran Tierney has impressed with Real Sociedad. The Scot has featured 13 times for the Spanish side, who sit sixth in La Liga.
Given Arsenal’s injury problems at left-back, there have been some suggestions that Tierney could be recalled. But both he and Arteta have played down those reports, with Tierney happy with life at the Reale Arena.
Marquinhos
Marquinhos has seen his own loan move turn into a failure, with Arsenal recalling the Brazilian from his spell at Nantes last week. The winger made just seven appearances for the French side and will now instead link up with Brazil’s under-23s for their 2024 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Albert Sambi Lokonga has recovered from a difficult start to his time at Luton to become a regular starter for the Hatters. He has made eight appearances in total and notched a crucial assist in their recent win over Sheffield United, which bolstered their survival hopes.
Kido Taylor-Hart
Kido Taylor-Hart has endured an awful time in his season-long loan spell with Bromley. The attacker has made just three appearances for the National League side, with the last of those coming back in September.
Arthur Okonkwo
Signed by Wrexham to replace Ben Foster, Arthur Okonkwo has more than filled the former England star’s boots. He has kept a clean sheet in half of his appearances for the Welsh side as they mount a promotion push in their first season in League Two.
Brian Okonkwo
Arthur Okonkwo’s younger brother Brian has also spent time out on loan this season. The keeper joined Isthmian South Central side Leatherhead on a work experience loan deal in the summer, with the 17-year-old returning to the Gunners this month.
Runar Alex Runarsson
While Okonkwo has impressed, fellow young keeper Runar Alex Runarsson has struggled at Cardiff. He has kept just one clean sheet in his eight appearances for the Championship strugglers and has mainly fulfilled the role of back-up at the Bluebirds.
Charlie Patino
Charlie Patino is being eyed by Juventus amid his successful loan at Swansea City
Charlie Patino has been one of Arsenal’s biggest loan stars during his spell with Swansea City. Though the Swans have struggled this term, Patino has impressed, with his performances drawing the eye of Juventus who have sent scouts to watch the midfielder several times.
Alex Kirk
Taylor-Hart has been joined at Bromley by Alex Kirk, with the 21-year-old enjoying a more successful spell than his Gunners’ team-mate. Kirk has fought back from a long spell out of the team to feature in their last four matches, in which they have gone unbeaten.
Omar Rekik
Omar Rekik was enjoying a positive spell at Wigan Athletic, but his time at the Latics was cruelly ended by a knee injury at the start of December. Before that point, the defender had been a regular starter, though he is now back at Arsenal to continue his recovery.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand was sent out to Dutch second division side Den Bosch in the summer. But like the The Blue and White Dragons, the midfielder has struggled, making just seven appearances in all competitions.
Billy Vigar
Billy Vigar has featured heavily in his loan spell at Eastbourne Borough, though he has struggled to score in his 27 appearances. Vigar has found the back of the net just twice, with Eastbourne battling down in the relegation zone in National League South.
Mika Biereth
After recovering from a knee injury Mika Biereth has starred on loan at Motherwell, scoring six goals and notching five assists for the Scottish side in their battle against relegation from the Premiership.
Hubert Graczyk
Hubert Graczyk endured a total disaster at Slough Town, conceding eight goals in his four matches and losing three of them, before Arsenal recalled him after the National League South side signed another keeper. He remains at the Gunners.
Henry Jeffcott
Unusually, it was Derby’s Under-21s who Henry Jeffcott joined on loan in the summer. But the left-back has impressed for the Rams in Premier League 2, making eight appearances in total in the reserve division.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy
Brooke Norton-Cuffy has enjoyed a more successful time than most in his loan spell with Millwall. The winger has started 21 games for the Lions, scoring twice and notching two assists in the second tier.
Tyreece John-Jules has seen his loan spell at Derby disrupted by injury, but the attacker will be pleased to hear the Rams are looking to bring him back for the rest of the season. He made 10 appearances in League One and is now waiting for approval to return to Pride Park.
Mauro Bandeira
Multiple changes of manager ensured Mauro Bandeira’s loan at Colchester United hit difficulties. The midfielder made nine appearances for the League Two side but is now back at the Gunners after his opportunities grew limited.
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