Arsenal are limping to the end of quite a disappointing season. In the summer, many would expect Arsenal to make a raft of changes; quite possibly, a new striker, midfielder and defender could be brought into the squad during the transfer window.
With all these changes in mind, could Arsenal look within their group of loan players to fill certain positions? Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden, both featured for Hull this week, as Steve Bruce’s men prepare themselves for the Championship playoffs.
At opposite end of the scale, Yaya Sanogo and Wellington Silva have been a part of two teams that will play in League One next year.
Abroad, Wojciech Szczesny has become a stalwart in Roma’s goal, moreover his future at Arsenal is in doubt, as it seems the Polish goalkeeper is quite happy to remain in Italy. In France, Mathieu Debuchy has recently recovered from an injury, and has started to gain the match time he craved.
With all this said, let’s have a look at how the loan players did between 26th April- 1st May.
Jon Toral (Birmingham City)
Jon Toral missed Birmingham’s 2-2 draw with Brimingham in the Championship. Birmingham put up an excellent performance, as they dented Middlesbrough’s chances of finishing in the top two. The young Spaniard served the third game of his suspension, following his dismissal against Burnley.
Toral has arguably been Birmingham’s best player this season, and will return to finish the season well with the Midlands club.
Chuba Akpom & Isaac Hayden (Hull City)
Both players featured in Hull’s 2-0 win over Brentford, and their 1-0 loss to Bolton.
Hayden and Akpom both started for Hull against Bolton, with the former playing the full 90 minutes. Earlier in the week, Hayden once again started, while Akpom came on as a 78th minutes substitute.
Although both players are getting game time due to Steve Bruce resting certain players for the playoffs, Akpom could possibly feature for Bruce in a crucial playoff campaign.
Glen Kamara (Southend United)
Unlike most weeks during his loan spell, Glen Kamara played 70 minutes as Southend lost 1-0 to Bradford City in League One. The Finish international has struggled to play many games while on loan, and will likely be sent out on loan again next season.
Gedion Zelalem (Rangers FC)
With Rangers clinching the title, Gedion Zelalem has returned to the starting line up for Rangers.
Zelalem played 72 minutes, as the Glasgow club continued their poor run of form with a 1-0 loss to Livingston. He again started at the weekend in Rangers’ 2-2 draw with St Mirren, playing 74 minutes.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Ipswich FC)
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was not included in Ipswich’s 3-2 win over MK Dons at the weekend.
Mathieu Debuchy (FC Bordeaux)
Mathieu Debuchy played the full 90 minutes as Bordeaux beat Troyes 4-2 in Ligue 1.
Emiliano Martinez (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
As with most weeks, Martinez remained on the substitutes bench, as Wolves drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest.
Wellington Silva (Bolton Wanderers)
Wellington Silva again missed out due to an injury, missing Bolton’s 1-0 win over Hull.
Yaya Sanogo (Chalrton Athletic)
Having picked up an injury last week, Yaya Sanogo missed Charlton’s 2-1 win over Leeds.
Wojciech Szczesny (AS Roma)
Wojciech Szczesny is expected to feature in Roma’s game against Genoa on Monday night.