The long Bank Holiday weekend, particularly for those in England, turned out to be of huge significance for several members of the Arsenal loan army.
With the regular season in the Championship, League One and League Two drawing to a close it means as many as 12 players have bid farewell to their respective clubs. The list includes Omar Rekik, Miguel Azeez, Auston Trusty, Charlie Patino, Tyreece John-Jules, Kido Taylor-Hart, Billy Vigar, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Tom Smith, Mazeed Ogungbo and Taylor Foran with most gaining valuable experience this season.
Marquinhos is another but despite being left out of Norwich City's matchday squad for the 1-0 loss at home to Blackpool, the youngster's campaign will continue having been named in Brazil's 21-man squad ahead of the Under-20 World Cup which gets underway on Saturday, May 20, in Argentina.
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The season has also been extended for Brooke Norton-Cuffy as Coventry City secured a place in the Championship play-off place after drawing with Middlesbrough - whom they'll battle for a place at Wembley Stadium - whilst Tim Akinola's Chesterfield will face Notts County in the National League play-off final this weekend.
Meanwhile, Alex Kirk is hopeful of playing a part in Ayr United's bid to earn promotion from the Scottish Championship after completing his rehab last week with what looked to be a season-ending injury and being cleared for a return to action: "As soon as the game finished on Friday night, I was getting my stuff ready to come back up the road," he told the Ayrshire Post.
"I actually just finished my rehab that day and have been cleared to return to training. I am desperate to be involved. Whatever part I can play, I want to do it. I know I might not be coming straight back up into the starting XI, but if I can play any part at all, I want to do it. I've made great friends at the club this season and want to do whatever I can to help us out."
Now for one reason or another, neither Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Cedric Soares, Marcelo Flores or Mika Biereth featured for their respective loan clubs over the weekend.
But Ryan Alebiosu featured for Kilmarnock, Nikolaj Moller returned from suspension as Den Bosch drew with Jong FC Utrecht, Runar Alex Runarsson had to be replaced after 35 minutes of Alanyaspor's 4-2 loss against Adana Demirspor because of injury, whilst Ovie Ejeheri was denied a clean sheet late on as SJK beat Inter Turku and Arthur Okonkwo started Sturm Graz's win over Austria Wien.
It's looking like another relegation will be added to Ainsley Maitland-Niles' CV as Southampton's 4-3 loss away at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest leaves them eight points adrift and with three games remaining, it could be confirmed this weekend should results go against them.
Across Europe, Pablo Mari - who has already earned Arsenal a nice £5.9m windfall with Monza avoiding relegation from Serie A - was in the side that drew 1-1 with Torino in their quest for a top-half finish whilst Nuno Tavares featured for Marseille in their loss against Lens and it's another game without a goal for Folarin Balogun as Reims beat Lille 1-0.
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