When Arsenal decide where they will send their young stars on loan, a meticulous process of assessment takes place. A collaborative effort between the manager Mikel Arteta, technical director Edu, Academy lead Per Mertesacker and Loan Manager Ben Knapper, to name just a few, takes place to decide the best destination for a player.
However, despite all the best preparation possible and consideration of often many different offers, sometimes things simply don’t work out. Through factors both in and out of the control of the player, minutes aren’t always forthcoming and that appears to be the case for Arsenal's Omar Rekik.
The Tunisian senior international joined Sparta Rotterdam on loan from the Gunners in the summer and was anticipating regular opportunity to play in the Eredivisie. The season started like it can for many young loanees, with a substitute appearance in a 0-0 draw with Heerenveen.
READ MORE: Arsenal have January recall boost for Charlie Patino as Blackpool loan star 'close' to return
However, unlike the likes of Charlie Patino who worked his way up to a start after coming off the Blackpool bench a couple of times, Rekik’s time on the field has stalled. He has been on the bench for the past five matches but has not been used.
Potentially keen to get minutes, he featured for the club’s under-21 side in the Jack’s League in a 3-0 defeat to Quick Boys. According to Wyscout, he attempted four defensive duels without winning a single one.
However, he did make eight interceptions, 14 recoveries and made four clearances. What stood out most though was his passing.
Omar Rekik made 18 passes into the final third with a 78% passing accuracy. It is clear there are elements of his game he needs to work on but the argument will be how can he do that if he isn’t given more opportunities at a senior level.
Watching back the game, Rekik regularly struck a dejected figure. The body language of a player that was certainly not happy with his current situation.
football.london understands Arsenal do have a recall clause in the player’s loan move. Like players before him such as Eddie Nketiah and Miguel Azeez, Mikel Arteta’s tenure has not been shy to cut these loans short.
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