It's been a busy month for Arsenal with regard to this season's loan army and one member is poised to have his spell cut short.
Promising midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand, who was on the bench for several first-team games last season, has failed to make a single appearance for Hull City because of a thigh injury and Liam Rosenior has confirmed the 19-year-old is expected to return to his parent club shortly.
"Salah is someone who has struggled for a long period of time," Rosenior told Hull Live. "He trained for the first time (in months) over the last two days but he's so far away still. He couldn't train today (Thursday) because of the intensity. He's a young kid and he's had quite a tough injury. It's one where we're looking at the best option for him and what the solution is.
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"Does he go back to his parent club and get his rehab done there? Because it's going to be very, very difficult for him to play games here. That's something that's not just a discussion for me. I have to look after the best interests of the group and him, and at the moment he's not someone that features in my plans in the short term."
Whilst Salah-Eddine is on his way back to Arsenal, Cedric Soares and Marquinhos are set to become the latest members of the loan army with moves to Fulham and Norwich City, respectively, set to be announced thus becoming the fifth and sixth players to join a new club this month after Miguel Azeez, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Ovie Ejeheri and Arthur Okonkwo.
For one reason or another, Nicolas Pepe, Mika Biereth, Tom Smith, Tyreece John-Jules, Okonkwo and Marcelo Flores didn't feature for their respective loan clubs over the weekend. Nor did Azeez and it was announced that he must serve a one-match ban for Wigan (against Blackburn on Monday, 6 February) after admitting an improper conduct charge.
However, Ejeheri was one of several Arsenal loan stars in action over the weekend as he made his competitive debut for SJK Seinajoki as they were beaten 1-0 by KuPS, Runar Alex Runarsson conceded three as Alanyaspor lost to Besiktas, whilst Omar Rekik and Nikolaj Moller made substitute appearances for Sparta Rotterdam and Den Bosch, respectively.
Auston Trusty was in FA Cup action as Birmingham City held Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park to force a replay. In the Championship, Brooke Norton-Cuffy started Coventry City's 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town, Mazeed Ogungbo came off the bench to help Crawley Town record a big win over Salford City in League Two, but it was an afternoon to forget for Tim Akinola as Chesterfield were beaten by Barnet.
In Scotland, Alex Kirk helped Ayr United thump Cove Rangers 5-0 away from home and Ryan Alebiosu played the final 14 minutes of Kilmarnock's 3-0 loss at the hands of Ross County.
Nuno Tavares was in the Marseille side that drew 1-1 at home to Monaco and with that in mind, football.london has rounded up the main headlines for the rest of Arsenal's loanees from the weekend just gone.
Patino scores as Maitland-Niles progresses
Two members of the Arsenal loan army faced each other on Saturday afternoon as Ainsley Maitland-Niles' Southampton overcame Charlie Patino's Blackpool in the FA Cup fourth round. Although, whilst the former was on the right side of the result, the latter certainly served a timely reminder of his qualities.
The midfielder reduced the deficit with a goal from close range, marking the first time he has scored against Premier League opposition. Could this be a sign of things to come next season as the 19-year-old has been tipped for a breakthrough under Mikel Arteta?
Folarin Balogun impresses
Despite sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun gave a very good account of himself as Reims held Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw.
In the first-half, the striker came close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions and he won a penalty early in the second half after being brought down by Marquinhos. However, VAR intervened to force the decision to be overturned as he was in an offside position when the ball was played through to him.
A last minute goal proved to be the icing on the cake as he showed great composure to round Gianluigi Donnaruma before slotting the ball into an empty net. Aside from the striker, overall Balogun's movement and ability to hold the ball up meant he was a constant threat for Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos all night.
Afterward, Balogun took to social media and showed respect to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry after copying his iconic goal celebration.
"Spoke to Titi before the game!" he wrote on Twitter. "Only right I show my respect."
Pablo Mari helps Monza shock Juventus again
Monza's 2-0 win over Juventus means they have beaten the Serie A giants home and away this season. Pablo Mari featured in both games, with Sunday's win moving the side 13 points clear of the relegation zone and it's worth another reminder that Arsenal will receive a €7million (£5.9million) transfer windfall at the end of the season with football.london previously reporting the defender's loan deal includes an obligation to be made permanent on the proviso that the club avoids the drop.
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