It has been a busy summer transfer window for Arsenal thus far, with players arriving and departing amid key decisions from Mikel Arteta and Edu.
Whilst the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Bernd Leno, and Lucas Torreira have all bid a permanent farewell. A host of senior and academy players have been allowed to temporarily depart to put themselves in the shop window for next summer or gain valuable first-team experience this season.
As things stand, Arsenal have as many as 21 players out on loan, and with the transfer window open for another few days, that number could yet increase, but for now, football.london takes a look at how those who are part of this season's loan army fared over the weekend.
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Not for the first time this season, Nuno Tavares is perhaps the best performer of the Arsenal loan army as he was back amongst the goals for Marseille in their 3-0 win over OGC Nice. He had a hand in Alexis Sanchez's (remember him?) second goal of the afternoon after Kasper Schmeichel didn't deal with his effort.
It's now three goals in four Ligue 1 appearances for the Portugal U21 international - drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Gunners teammate Folarin Balogun who played 60 minutes for Reims in their 1-1 draw against Lacazette's Lyon - as he is flourishing in a left-wing back role.
On the other side of that result was Nicolas Pepe, who made his debut for Nice and didn't get the result he would have wanted on his return to France. He was even criticised by manager Lucien Favre after the game for his lack of intensity, especially when defending.
"He's got to get back into the swing of things. He hasn't played for a long time in England," Favre said. "He did his pre-season with Arsenal but didn't play a match, so he lacks a bit of rhythm and intensity tracking back, in the pressing and recovering the ball, because that's what everyone has to do, there are no exceptions.
"If one or two players don't do the job, the whole team has a problem. Everyone has to do it at the same time, defend together to get the ball back and then play. We have to be ready, we are professionals. Winning the ball back is important in any sport."
Sticking in Europe, Runar Alex Runarsson was in goal as Alanyaspor lost at home to Istanbulspor. Omar Rekik was an unused substitute as Sparta Rotterdam were beaten 1-0 by Ajax. Mika Biereth missed out as RKC Waalwijk lost by the same scoreline at home to Feyenoord and Nikolaj Moller was a second-half substitute as Den Bosch lost 2-0 to Almere FC.
Over in Spain, Marcelo Flores started Real Oviedo's 1-0 win over Racing, whilst Monza were beaten 2-1 at home by Udinese, but Pablo Mari missed out on a reunion with his former loan club as the injury that kept him out of the 4-0 loss against Napoli sidelined him again as Arsenal's hopes of securing a €7million (£5.9million) windfall next summer on the provision Monza are able to stay in Serie A is already looking bleak.
Alex Kirk played the full 90 minutes as Ayr United beat Dundee 3-1 in the Scottish Championship. Ryan Alebiosu was also able to celebrate a win at the weekend as Kilmarnock came from behind to beat Motherwell 2-1 and move into ninth spot in the Scottish Premiership table.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy has been handed the no.10 shirt at Rotherham United, and he followed up the disappointment of being knocked out of the Carabao Cup on his debut by playing 90 minutes on his first appearance at Championship level as he got the better of Auston Trusty's Birmingham City.
However, neither Charlie Patino, Harry Clarke and Salah-Eddine featured for Blackpool, Stoke City or Hull City, respectively, with the former pair on the road to recovery following injury set-backs and the latter only sealing a move to the Tigers last week.
In League One, Tyreece John-Jules featured in Ipswich Town's 2-2 draw with Barnsley, whilst Mazeed Ogungbo was left out of the Crawley Town side that drew 1-1 away at Rochdale just days after helping the League Two outfit stun Premier League Fulham in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal have three goalkeepers out on loan this season. Arthur Okonkwo - the senior member of the trio - kept another clean sheet as Crewe Alexandra drew 0-0 at Bradford City, but neither Ovie Ejeheri nor Tom Smith featured for Chelmsford City or Bromley respectively over the weekend.
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