The past week has been very interesting for several members of this season's Arsenal loan army with the number being reduced from 24 to 23 following the recall of Miguel Azeez.
Having joined Spanish second division side UD Ibiza in the summer, but following 11 appearances across all competitions it was announced that the midfielder had returned to his parent club and it remains to be seen what the rest of the season looks like for the 20-year-old as he's unlikely to figure into Mikel Arteta's plans.
With that said, Azeez wasn't the only loanee recalled by the Gunners last week as Brooke Norton-Cuffy's spell with Rotherham United came to a rather surprising end. Although, the promising right-back already has a new club after joining fellow Championship side Coventry City and was denied a debut in the FA Cup third-round tie against Wrexham due to missing the registration deadline.
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Even with Folarin Balogun, Tom Smith, Nuno Tavares, Marcelo Flores, Omar Rekik, Ryan Alebiosu, Auston Trusty, Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand, Mazeed Ogungbo and Tyreece John-Jules not featuring for their respective loan clubs for one reason or another, it was still a busy weekend for those with Arsenal connections up and down the English football pyramid and across Europe.
For example, with the top two leagues in the Netherlands resuming, Mika Biereth made his first start for RKC Waalwijk in a goalless draw at home to Heerenveen and fellow young striker Nikolaj Moller was a second half substitute as Den Bosch lost 4-1 at home to Jong FC Utrecht.
Meanwhile, it's successive clean sheets for Arthur Okonkwo as Crewe Alexandra played out a goalless draw at home to AFC Wimbledon and whilst there has been no official announcement regarding an extension to Ovie Ejeheri's short-term deal at Chelmsford City, he started their 1-0 defeat against Chippenham Town.
North of the border in Scotland, Alex Kirk made his return to action sooner than expected. After being stretchered off against Inverness at the end of November, the defender had looked to be sidelined for up to three months, but a scan revealed no ankle fracture so he was able to help Ayr record a 1-0 win over Hamilton.
With Alex Runarsson potentially in action for Alanyaspor this evening (Monday January 9), football.london has rounded up the main headlines for the rest of Arsenal's loanees from the weekend just gone.
Patino's FA Cup revenge as youngster denied
A year ago, Charlie Patino was in the Arsenal team that crashed out of the FA Cup in the third-round against Nottingham Forest. Now on loan at Blackpool, the wonderkid gained a measure of revenge by helping the Championship side send their Premier League counterparts packing thanks to a convincing 4-1 win at Bloomfield Road.
That result has proven to be one of the big shocks of the round especially as a last-gasp equaliser from West Brom denied Tim Akinola and Chesterfield Town a famous 3-2 victory, meanwhile Harry Clarke's Stoke City eased passed Hartlepool United to seal a place in round four.
Things may not be going to plan for Southampton in the league, but another cup run is on the cards - they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup this week - after coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace where Ainsley Maitland-Niles played the full 90 minutes in central midfield.
Cup shock in France
It was also cup weekend in France, but as mentioned above, neither Folarin Balogun or Nuno Tavares were in action for Reims or Marseille respectively, thus leaving Nicolas Pepe as the sole Arsenal representative in the competition and was on the receiving end of a major shock as Nice were beaten 1-0 by Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne - a team from the third tier.
Windfall reminder
As Serie A action returned last Wednesday, Pablo Mari made his first competitive appearance for Monza since being stabbed during an attack in a Milan supermarket back in September. The defender was a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina before returning to the starting line-up on Saturday for the visit of Inter Milan.
Thanks to a 93rd-minute equaliser to earn a point, Monza have a decent cushion over the relegation zone and it's worth a reminder that Arsenal will be in line to receive a €7million (£5.9million) transfer windfall at the end of the season with football.london previously reporting this loan deal includes an obligation to be made permanent on the proviso that the club avoids the drop.
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