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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

How the four players who left Arsenal's title challenge in January have fared since

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal squad was thinned in January when he allowed four players to leave - although all of them will return to the Gunners at the end of the season.

There was a lot of talk about Arsenal's incoming transfer business as Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho all arrived for a combined £60m, but not too much was mentioned about the four who departed.

The Gunners are vying for their first Premier League title in 19 years and undoubtedly the attention has been on their scintillating form this term. However, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Miguel Azeez, Marquinhos and Cedric were all sent out on loan in the January transfer window to get some regular game time.

Some have succeeded, while others haven't had the best of times so far. So, with that in mind, Mirror Football has had a look at the four and their time away so far.

Albert Sambi Lokonga

The Frenchman made the switch to Crystal Palace on deadline day after struggling for regular minutes at the Gunners. He has started in six of the eight Premier League matches he's been available in since his move to Selhurst Park, and has stood out for a side who have been struggling and sacked Gunners legend Patrick Vieira.

Lokonga was particularly impressive in the goalless draw against Liverpool last month and has showed signs that he could go back and put down a marker for a starting spot at the Emirates Stadium.

He was unavailable to face parent club Arsenal before the international break but will be hoping to earn Palace a win against Leicester on Saturday.

Miguel Azeez

Miguel Azeez (Getty Images)

It is safe to say this loan hasn't gone the way Azeez wanted it to. The 20-year-old had endured difficult spells at Portsmouth and Ibiza before his move to Wigan - and it felt like this was his final chance to give himself an Arsenal future.

However, Azeez, who was brought in by former boss Kolo Toure, has made just two appearances for the Championship strugglers, with his last coming against Luton on January 21.

He has been completely frozen out of the matchday squad by current manager Shaun Maloney and doesn't look to be featuring anytime soon. Azeez had been playing for Wigan Under 21s, meanwhile, in a bid to gain sharpness.

Marquinhos

Marquinhos made an impressive start to his time at Norwich (Joe Toth/REX/Shutterstock)

Having joined Norwich in January, it felt like Marquinhos needed regular first-team football to further his career and be ready for a spot in the Arsenal squad. He got off to the perfect start on his Canaries debut, scoring one and providing an assist in a 2-0 win over Cardiff on February 25.

But the Brazilian has struggled since. He has failed to register a goal or an assist in four matches and didn't even start their goalless draw against Stoke just before the international break. Marquinhos will be keen to get back at it when his Norwich side take on Sheffield United on April 1.

Cedric

Lastly, Cedric has endured a mixed time at Fulham so far. He has been kept out of the Premier League XI by Kenny Tete, but did start the FA Cup tie against Leeds last month.

The Portugal international impressed in that game and kept Wilfried Gnonto relatively quiet throughout. But it doesn't look like he will be able to force his way into the league side anytime soon given Tete's form.

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