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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Patino's £80m transfer reminder as Maitland-Niles triggers Conte outburst - Arsenal loan latest

Several members of Arsenal's loan army have been in action over the past week, although they experienced differing fortunes.

Arguably the standout name from a 29-man strong group has to be Ainsley Maitland-Niles on his return to the Southampton matchday squad against Tottenham Hotspur after missing the goalless draw against Manchester United as well as the 2-0 home defeat by Brentford because of injury.

With both of the Saints' central defenders withdrawn in the first-half, it meant the Gunners' loanee was afforded an opportunity to showcase his versatility by partnering Mohammed Salisu after replacing Jan Bednarek. In truth, the 25-year-old could have done better for Harry Kane's goal which restored the visitors' lead, but ultimately he would have the last laugh.

READ MORE: How many points Arsenal need to be crowned Premier League champions over Manchester City

When former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott had reduced the deficit three minutes after Ivan Perisic's goal to give Spurs a 3-1 lead, it allowed the home side to push forward in search of an equaliser and that chance arrived as Maitland-Niles was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Pape Sarr.

Whilst replays showed the decision was rather harsh, the penalty was awarded and James Ward-Prowse made no mistake from 12 yards to earn an unlikely point for Southampton and what followed was an extraordinary post-match press conference from Antonio Conte as the Spurs boss appeared to be in full meltdown mode.

"Tottenham's story is this. 20 years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here? I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench," he noted. "You risk to disrupt the figure of the manager and to protect the other situation in every moment."

Meanwhile, Cedric Soares had a front row view just as Fulham pushed the self-destruction button in their FA Cup quarter-final against Man United. Leading 1-0 and looking in control, the tie turned on its head during a crazy 60-second spell where Willian, Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva were all sent-off.

Unsurprisingly at a two-man numerical disadvantage, the visitors were unable to hang on, with Cedric coming off the bench for only his fourth appearance for the club since joining on transfer deadline day in January.

As per Premier League rules, on loan Crystal Palace midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga was ineligible to face his parent club on Sunday afternoon. It's been confirmed that the season is over for Tyreece John-Jules after an injury setback and it was also a quiet week for several other Arsenal loanees as for one reason or another Miguel Azeez, Tim Akinola, Marcelo Flores, Ryan Alebiosu, Alex Kirk, Ovie Ejeheri, Nikolaj Moller, Tom Smith, Taylor Foran, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Kido Taylor-Hart and Billy Vigar did not feature at all.

Omar Rekik, however, was back in action for Wigan Athletic after serving a one-match suspension and he managed to pick up a booking shortly after replacing Charlie Hughes in the 12th minute against Watford. After seeing his red card in Norwich City's draw against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday overturned, Marquinhos was available for their trip to Stoke City but couldn't make an impact off the bench.

Amid Birmingham City's defeat at Vicarage Road and 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, Auston Trusty celebrated being called up to the USMNT for the first time, whilst in League Two, Mazeed Ogungbo helped Crawley Town secure a massive win over AFC Wimbledon.

AC Monza are inching ever closer to confirming their Serie A status for another year and that means it's only a matter of time before Pablo Mari's deal is made permanent for £5.9m as per conditions of the agreement. Elsewhere across Europe, Mika Biereth was a substitute in RKC Waalwijk's loss to NEC Nijmegen, Alex Runarsson conceded twice as Alanyaspor were beaten by Fenerbahce and Arthur Okonkwo kept a clean sheet for Sturm Graz.

With that in mind, below football.london rounds up the big headlines regarding the remaining Arsenal loanees from the past seven days.

Patino reminder

Charlie Patino may have lost out to Brooke Norton-Cuffy in the battle of Arsenal loanees as Blackpool were beaten at home by Coventry City on Saturday, but his performance four days prior in the 6-1 thrashing over QPR may give Mikel Arteta some food for thought ahead of the summer transfer window.

It's no secret that the Gunners are interested in West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice as a long-term successor for Granit Xhaka. Although it could cost upward of £80m to sign the England international, so Patino could be an option to save his parent club millions of pounds.

On his return to the Blackpool starting line-up the teenager claimed two assists against QPR, wasn't dispossessed at all, made five ball recoveries and won 11 out of 15 duels (73%). Not a bad audition in hope of being part of the senior squad next season.

Pepe is back

Nicolas Pepe is fit again after a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury. The winger returned to action for Nice as a substitute in their 3-1 Europa Conference League round of 16 second leg win over Sheriff last Thursday - his first appearance since the end of January - before completing 90 minutes on Sunday in the 1-1 draw with Lorient.

As one of the few loanees that Arsenal can look to receive a decent windfall from should they decide to sell in the summer, the hope is that Pepe can hit the ground running after the international break and keep himself in the shop window for a prospective buyer.

Balogun vs Tavares

There was an Arsenal feel to the final Ligue 1 fixture before the international break and not just because it was Reims' Folarin Balogun going head-to-head with Marseille's Nuno Tavares. The former broke the deadlock with his 17th league goal of the campaign only for former Gunners striker Alexis Sanchez to score twice and seal victory for the visitors.

READ MORE:

The 18 senior Arsenal players confirmed for international duty after William Saliba withdrawal

Mikel Arteta hints at Thomas Partey change during Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

What Bukayo Saka did to Rob Holding after Palace win as Arsenal silence Sporting doubters

Arsenal's next five Premier League fixtures compared to Man City in Premier League title race

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium

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