By Matty Sadler
November 17 2020

Here we are in mid-November and as we’re in the middle of yet another international break, and a quarter of the way through the season (ish), I decided to take a quick look at how our loaned players are getting on…

Dinos Mavropanos

 After a decent finish to the German second division last season with Nurnberg, where the club narrowly avoided demotion via a relegation play-off, he joined Bundesliga side Stuttgart in the summer on a season-long loan. He has started once, and tore his meniscus. He returned to training the other day.

 It is an all-too-familiar story for 22 year old Mavropanos, who’s two game bright spell at the end of Wenger’s last season seems so long ago. Hopefully he can have a change in fortunes.

 Zech Medley

 Towering 20 year old defender Medley joined League One side Gillingham on a season-long loan. He’s played in all but two of Gillingham’s league games so far, with a pretty even split between minutes at centre back and at left back. He was at fault for our goal in the Football League Trophy game the other day, but looked okay otherwise.

 Zak Swanson

 Versatile 20 year old defender/ midfielder Swanson joined Dutch second tier side MVV Maastricht on a season-long loan. He’s not been a regular in the squad thus far, making two starts and one substitute appearance, all at right back.

 Trae Coyle

 Talented 19 year old winger Coyle joined Medley at Gillingham on a season-long loan. It’s actually been a pretty bright start for Coyle. He scored on his first start in the Football League Trophy, scored what turned out to be the winner in his second league appearance, and scored the winning penalty in the League Cup penalty shootout victory over Coventry. He has, however, mostly featured off the bench in the league.

 He scored in normal time and scored his penalty against us in the Football League Trophy the other day, where he was their most dangerous player. He is an exciting talent so it would be good to see him playing more.

 Matt Smith

 Remember the little blonde kid during our FA Cup celebrations? Excellent passer Smith was called up to first team training a number of times by Arteta last season and was an unused sub in 3 league games and 3 FA Cup games, including the final.

 The 20 year old joined League One side Swindon on a season-long loan and scored on his debut vs. Rochdale. He has completed the full 90 in all of their league games so far, picking out some superb passes, including a defence-splitting pre-assist that made the rounds on Twitter. He has also been praised for his pressing. Yesterday he scored his second goal, a deflected equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Shrewsbury.

 Very promising start for Smith.

 Jordi Osei-Tutu

 After a decent season in the German second tier with Bochum, 22 year old Osei-Tutu joined Championship side Cardiff on a season-long loan. He started their first 5 games before missing one with a hamstring injury. He returned for the following game but unfortunately injured his hamstring again and was ruled out for around 6 weeks. A blow for Jordi, who had made a good start to the season.

 Hopefully he returns soon. I’ve felt he could’ve quite easily got more of an opportunity here in recent years.

 Ben Sheaf

 Following on from a successful loan to League One Doncaster last season, 22 year old Sheaf joined newly-promoted Championship side Coventry on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy (which apparently triggers should he make enough first team appearances). When we signed the then-16 year old from West Ham we often used the technically gifted midfielder as a centre back. Interestingly last season Doncaster played him back in his natural position, either in a two or three man midfield, taking advantage of his excellent passing range. So far for Coventry he has been used in much the same way.

 He came off the bench in their first two league games but has started every one since, completing the full 90 in 8 out of 9. There were initial concerns among fans over his defensive abilities playing as Coventry’s deepest midfielder, but he has apparently kept captain Liam Kelly out of the side because of his superior ability in possession. He improved out of possession as he grew into the role for Doncaster last season and there are signs of the same thing happening this as he plays alongside star man Gustavo Hamer. He was recently ranked 5^th in terms of successful defensive duels for Championship midfielders, with 5.78 per 90 and was named Coventry’s Player of the Month for October, with their head of recruitment Chris Badlan described Sheaf’s job as “underestimated by a lot of people”.

 Promising early signs for Sheaf, who hopefully can stay fit and earn his permanent move.

 Tyreece John-Jules

19 year old forward John-Jules has been called up to first team training a few times and Arteta has talked him up a couple of times. He joined League One side Lincoln for the second half of last season and scored in his second game, but suffered an injury at the end of March that ended his season.

 He joined League One side Doncaster this season, getting a goal and an assist in his first four games, but suffered an injury while with England U20s and has been out injured ever since.

 Mark McGuinness

 19 year old Ireland youth centre back McGuinness joined League One side Ipswich on a season-long loan for his first taste of senior football. After initially starting on the bench, he has played the whole of their last three games.

 Daniel Ballard

 I’m a fan of Ballard. For a start his name is close to bollard, a post used to stop traffic from entering an area - a great name for any defender. Most importantly, however, the 21 year old capped Northern Ireland international is a good defender first and foremost. His loan to League One side Swindon last season was cut short by injury after one game. In October he joined League One Blackpool on loan until the end of January. He was named Man of the Match in his first two games, where he topped defensive action-stats quite comfortably, but was send off in his third game under somewhat mysterious circumstances, where it wasn’t exactly clear what he had done. He’s continued playing for Northern Ireland as well, recently earning rave reviews for a Man of the Match performance against Austria.

 Hope he can stay fit. A full season of football under his belt would be great. Le Grove made the point recently that had his last loan spell not been disrupted by injury, he’d probably be on loan to a Championship side this season. I’d agree with that.

 Matteo Guendouzi & Lucas Torreira

 Not much to say on these two really, other than, perhaps somewhat controversially, I still really rate Guendouzi. I think there is a space next to Partey there for the taking. I hope we’re able to sort things out.

 Dejan Iliev

 Following loans last season to Slovakia and Poland, 25 year old Macedonian goalkeeper Iliev joined League One side Shrewsbury until the end of January. He played twice, keeping a clean sheet on his debut, but hasn’t featured since.

 Tolaji Bola

 21 year old left-sided defender Bola joined League One side Rochdale on loan until January in October. He has been their starting left back ever since.

 Harry Clarke

 19 year old Harry Clarke is another young defender I’ve liked whenever I’ve seen him. He joined League Two side Oldham on loan until January. He has featured for them regularly ever since, scoring the winner recently against Cheltenham.

 James Olayinka

 Hard working 19 year old midfielder Olayinka joined League Two side Southend on loan until January, to build on the one game he played on loan at League Two side Northampton last season. He has featured regularly for them ever since, and scored quiet a breath-taking goal in their FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood, where he picked up the ball in his own half and drive forward into the penalty area, beating a couple of defenders before finishing.

 Tom Smith

 18 year old goalkeeper Smith joined National League side Dover on a short term loan. He has played twice for them.