Arsenal given Charlie Patino and Brooke Norton Cuffy concern amid January transfer decisions
Arsenal are not in action this week with the club enjoying some warm weather training in Dubai as the likes of Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber work their way back to fitness. Whilst the Gunners first-team squad take a weekend off from action, their loan starshave not — although Marquinhos has now returned to the club after being recalled from Nantes.
Mikel Arteta sent a number of his starlets away for more regular minutes and in an attempt to increase their potential value ahead of a summer 2024 exit. It has seen mixed results with some shining and others sadly still unable to break into their respective team’s starting eleven despite even changes of coach in some cases.
With that said, football.london break down all of the weekend’s action for the Gunners loan stars. It includes a Basque derby, some VAR controversy for a relegation battle and minutes becoming harder to come by for some previously well-established loanees which might raise some eyebrows.
Having recently turned down the hypothetical chance of a return to Arsenal this winter in an interview, Kieran Tierney has been fully focused on his time in Spain. Real Sociedad travelled to Bilbao to face Athletic Club in the Basque derby.
Tierney started the match in which his La Real side went 2-0 down in the first half and only a late Mikel Oyarzabal could salvage some pride and make for a nervy end. It opens the gap to nine points in favour of Athletic — Sociedad hang on to sixth.
Albert Sambi Lokonga started his fourth match in a row since returning from injury in what has been a successful spell for Luton Town. The draw at Burnley in controversial circumstances thanks to a late VAR decision against a furious Vincent Kompany earned Lokonga's side a vital point.
Mikel
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