Tierney swap deal proposal, Lokonga debut and Marquinhos lucky charm - Arsenal loan latest
The past week has brought about mixed experiences for this season's Arsenal loan army. Given it was the first game back for a host of clubs in England following the international break, it meant Albert Sambi Lokonga and Omar Rekik made their first competitive appearances of the campaign.
It was the latter who had cause for celebration on what was his second debut in Wigan Athletic colours as he played 78 minutes — at left-back nonetheless — of their 2-1 win over Cambridge United on Saturday. Meanwhile, Lokonga's return to London ended in defeat as Luton Town were beaten by Fulham.
Reflecting on getting 74 minutes under his belt following an injury-disrupted pre-season with Arsenal, the midfielder took to Instagram and wrote: «First game for @lutontown. Not the result we wanted but we'll keep fighting. Thanks for the fans who travelled. Your support means a lot.»
Now for one reason or another, nor Arthur Okonkwo, Brian Okonkwo, Mauro Bandeira, Catalin Cirjan, Kido Taylor-Hart, Alex Kirk, Mika Biereth, Tyreece John-Jules, Henry Jeffcott and Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand featured for their respective clubs or at international level over the course of the past week.
With Nuno Tavares potentially in action for Nottingham Forest against Burnley tonight (Monday) it's been a quiet week for Arsenal's loanees but Charlie Patino did make his England U21s debut in the 3-0 win over Luxembourg as the Young Lions got their 2025 UEFA U21 Euro qualification campaign off to a great start.
However, at club level the young midfielder, who played a large portion of the game with his head bandage to protect a wound, did taste defeat as a Swansea City player in the south Wales derby against Cardiff City as former Gunner Aaron Ramsey sealed a 2-0 win
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