In our Loan Watch feature series, the Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how a selection of players from a particular club are faring whilst they are away from their parent side, and provide a brief update regarding their form.
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Here, we provide an update on three Arsenal loanees as they continue to ply their trade away from the Emirates Stadium.
WILLIAM SALIBA
William Saliba’s return from injury continues to be a godsend for loan club Saint-Etienne, with the Ligue 1 outfit winning their third league game in a row since the teenager’s comeback.
While his effect in Saint-Etienne’s win over Nimes a month ago was minimal, Saliba followed up helping to shut out Lyon before the international break by doing the same to Bordeaux at the weekend, as his side recorded a third consecutive 1-0 success.
The result leaves his side in the top half of the league table, with their run of three straight wins one that only champions Paris Saint-Germain can match as Saliba prolongs his spotless domestic record so far.
EDDIE NKETIAH
A long-awaited start in the league for Leeds United’s Eddie Nketiah continues to desert the on-loan youngster, though the 20-year-old is still doing everything he can to change Marcelo Bielsa’s mind by rescuing a point for his side at Preston in midweek.
His late header was his fifth in Leeds colours as they kept in touch with Championship leaders West Brom, who were also held in midweek – with his three league goals coming in just 220 minutes of action (WhoScored) – an average of a goal every 73.3 minutes.
All eyes may be on the teamsheet for Leeds’ Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday as Nketiah continues his push for a starting role on Saturday lunchtime.
MOHAMED ELNENY
Following the completion of his three-match ban for his red card on his Besiktas debut, Mohamed Elneny finally made a return to league action on Saturday in a goalless draw against MKE Ankaragucu.
The Egyptian midfielder has played every minute of the Turkish outfit’s Europa League campaign so far, so he seems to be firmly in the plans of Abdullah Avci’s side as he pursues game time outside of North London.
And that may well be a welcome sight for the 27-year-old, given he was not named in any matchday squad this season prior to his temporary Super Lig switch.
There are positives to take for all three players in question here, with Saliba and Elneny seemingly at the forefront of their respective managers’ plans.
Nketiah continues to do the right things, though Bielsa has proved stubborn in changing his lineups in the league at Leeds, and it remains to be seen whether his promising performances are to be rewarded in the weeks to come.
But all in all, those keeping tabs on their players’ progress in North London should be rather satisfied based on these recent outings.
Arsenal fans, how pleased are you by the players out on loan? Should Nketiah be getting more minutes at Leeds? Let us know in the comments below!
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