Arsenal loan watch (including Saliba)

It’s time for an Arsenal loan watch roundup to see how our lads are shaping up so far by Dan Smith

Ben Sheaf – Doncaster

Ben seems to be winning Doncaster fans over with his work rate. Not surprising as he’s grown up at Arsenal he likes to be on the ball with his passing numbers and conversions high. Has been accused at times of taking too long on the ball but that’s more a case of adjusting to lower League football where time is precious.

Osei-Tutu – VFL Bochum
This loan switch made the headlines for the wrong reason, with the youngster left in tears after claiming racial abuse by an opponent, something that Arsenal are looking into. It’s not connected but the right back hasn’t started the last 4 fixtures in the German second division. If nothing else, it’s testing him mentally.

Dejan iliev – SKF Sered – Started 9
Yet to keep a clean sheet. Has been rewarded with recognition from national team although yet to come off the bench.

Eddie Nketiah – Played 9 scored 4
Has started his spell well at Elland Road, scoring goals despite not starting in the League. Has been so explosive from the bench Leeds fans have started to complain to Bielsa to play the youngster more. Their manager seems to trust more experienced strikers despite a lack of goal return. Does that suggest our youngster is tactically not picking up what is being asked of him?

Mohamed Elneny – Beskitas
Only played three games so far, having got sent off on his debut. Talk already that loan might be cancelled in January with AC Milan interested.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan- Roma
Another creative talent Emery couldn’t get the best out of. Already has an assist and goal in Italy as he tries to convince someone to buy him full time. He has made it clear he wasn’t happy in England saying he had fallen out of love with the sport. Clearly doesn’t agree with the criticism he got in this country.

Saliba – Saint Etienne
Perhaps the loan we need to watch the most, as fans are putting their hopes for the future on this kid. Only started playing this month having had surgery in the summer, partly with us having been in the crowd for the Watford game. With Saliba in the team in Ligue 1, Saint-Etienne have taken 38 points from 18 games (2.11 points per game) and kept 10 clean sheets, a 56% clean sheet percentage. Without Saliba, the team have managed 39 points from 29 games (1.34 points per game), only keeping five clean sheets, a 17% clean sheet percentage.

7 Comments

  1. Am excited about Saliba! What am not excited about is the fact that even after this tiring international break our first game is the last league fixture of the week, on Monday night. I don’t understand why that game needs to be on Monday night when there’s only one game on Sunday argh.🙄

        1. Are you not from a certain country? You should have a national team. Haven’t you?
          I need to watch my national team once in a while.

  2. Good news about Saliba. But sometimes we can’t refer to the performances during loan period, because some footballers are not motivated to perform well at other clubs

    For instance, Harry Kane and Serge Gnabry had some below-par performances during their loans, but it is the opposite at Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Muenchen

    Nonetheless, loan is a good opportunity for an underperformer to try another league. Sanchez’s form has improved because of the slower pace in Italy, hence I believe Ozil could also benefit from a less-intense league like Serie A

    1. The trouble is, the quoted performances are very misleading as Saliba has only played twice this season which I think was one loss and one win.
      The figures quoted above are from last season when he wasn’t “our” player.

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