Arsenal have numerous players on loan at various clubs across the world this season, all fighting for their futures at the Emirates or elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta was eager to allow several players to depart temporarily at the beginning of the season, either giving youngsters the opportunity to continue their development with regular minutes or to set the wheels in motion for a permanent departure.
Some have flourished at their adopted clubs, and will be hoping this form prompts the Arsenal boss to utilise them in N5 next season.
Meanwhile, others have struggled with injury or to establish themselves on loan, and will almost certainly have already played their final matches for the North London outfit.
We’ve listed every senior player Arsenal have loaned out this season, and rated their chances of playing a competitive match for the club again.
Karl Hein – Real Valladolid
After an encouraging pre-season with the Gunners, goalkeeper Karl Hein joined Spanish side Real Valladolid on loan in the summer.
Hein endured a difficult game against Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid in January, shipping three goals to the Frenchman.
In spite of this and Valladolid’s general struggles, the Estonian shot-stopper has thrived in La Liga.
Keeping five clean sheets in 23 appearances for the side rock bottom of the Spanish top flight, the 22-year-old has every chance of being promoted to number two at Arsenal next season and deputising for David Raya.
Arsenal are interested in signing Joan Garcia, Espanyol’s number one, but with the Catalan club demanding an excessive fee and the Gunners eager to spend big on forwards, they could plausibly opt to stick with Hein as their second choice in between the sticks to save money.
Verdict: 6/10 chance
Nuno Tavares – Lazio
Nuno Tavares struggled to fit in at Arsenal or on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, but has seemingly excelled abroad.
After a promising temporary spell at Marseille in the 2022/23 season, Tavares joined Lazio last summer, in a deal that includes an option to buy, which becomes mandatory if certain conditions are met.
These conditions are expected to be met, meaning the left-back’s chances of featuring in an Arsenal shirt again are virtually non-existent.
Tavares has thrived in Serie A, registering eight assists in just 16 starts, and thus the Gunners may be regretting sanctioning his departure for the reported €6 million fee he’ll cost Lazio.
Verdict: 1/10 chance
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Signed at the same time as Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga’s time at the Emirates didn’t quite materialise in the way the club would’ve hoped.
Sent on loan to Sevilla with an option to buy, the Belgian has been a regular at the heart of the Spanish side’s midfield.
Starting 12 La Liga games, it’s possible that los Hispalenses trigger the purchase option, although it remains in the balance.
If they don’t, it’s not hard to imagine a world where Lokonga doesn’t earn a move elsewhere and ends up playing a few throw away minutes for Arsenal next season.
Verdict: 3/10 chance
Fabio Vieira – Porto
With Ethan Nwaneri breaking into Arsenal’s first team, Arteta opted to loan Fabio Vieira and sell Emile Smith Rowe to make room for the teenager sensation at the start of this season.
Many would argue that this has backfired, as the Spaniard hasn’t fully trusted Nwaneri centrally and as Martin Odegaard’s form has dropped off.
However, Arteta chose not to recall Vieira in January despite these creative midfield issues, indicating that he isn’t fully invested in the Portuguese’s talent.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old has impressed in bursts in the Primeira Liga, and could feasibly be in line for a return to Arsenal if the Gunners want to cut costs in midfield and allocate resources to signing forwards.
Verdict: 5/10 chance
Reiss Nelson – Fulham
It’s been a frustrating few months for Reiss Nelson at Fulham.
The winger looked bright in his first few games at Craven Cottage, starting on the bench and working his way into Marco Silva’s first team.
However, Nelson was then ruled out for ten weeks through injury, and is yet to return to action.
In a strange way, this injury could indirectly revive his Arsenal career, as it makes it less likely that Fulham or any other potential suitors will want to invest in him.
If the Englishman can end the season with some semblance of form, Arteta may opt to keep him around as a sporadic option next season.
Verdict: 4/10 chance
Marquinhos – Cruzeiro
Marquinhos completed his fourth loan move away from Arsenal in the last two years in January, joining Brazilian side Cruzeiro.
It hasn’t happened for the young winger in any of his temporary stints, failing to make an impact at Norwich City, Nantes or Fluminese.
However, Marquinhos has started positively at Cruzeiro, although thriving there is unlikely to resurrect his Arsenal career.
The Gunners will look to cash in on the 21-year-old at the first possible opportunity.
Verdict: 2/10 chance
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