The new year may only be three days old, but several members of this season's 24-man strong Arsenal loan army have already played in 2023.
As many as six Gunners loanees took to the field on New Year's Day and to mixed results. Brooke Norton-Cuffy was back in London but could not prevent Rotherham United from slumping to a 3-0 loss away at Millwall, Harry Clarke's Stoke conceded a late winner against Preston, Tim Akinola came off the bench to help Chesterfield Town beat Scunthorpe United and Arthur Okonkwo was named man-of-the-match as Crewe Alexandra overcame Tranmere Rovers.
Elsewhere, Charlie Patino started for Blackpool in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland. However, amid being tipped for an Arsenal first-team promotion next season, it's his performance in the 2-1 loss at home to Sheffield United three days prior that has been highlighted on social media.
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On Twitter, @adamvoge noted that the teenager won all eight of his ground duels and was secure in possession. Furthermore, his positioning, as per SofaScore, could perhaps serve as an audition for that 'left 8' role in Mikel Arteta's midfield setup once this loan spell concludes.
Young goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri was beaten twice as Chelmsford City drew 2-2 against Braintree Town in a local derby. It's interesting to note this is only a short-term loan that is due to expire very soon, so a decision with regard to an extension should be imminent as the 19-year-old has certainly benefitted from regular senior football this season.
On Monday, there were another three Arsenal loanees in action but it was an afternoon to forget for Auston Trusty as Birmingham City lost 3-1 at home by Middlesbrough in the Championship. Meanwhile, over in France, it's goals in back-to-back Marseille games for Nuno Tavares as he followed up his strike against Toulouse by breaking the deadlock against Montpellier.
Although, the left-back swiftly went from hero to zero as he was giving his marching orders when VAR intervened and deemed his needless kick-out worthy of a red card. Despite taunting the Montpellier fans as he made his way off the pitch, the defender is set to be hit with a "nice fine" for his actions.
"He's lost his mind, he's going to get a nice fine," Marseille manager explained to Amazon France after his side held on for a 2-1 win. "It can happen, but he's going to be fined, because it will penalise us in the future. We are lucky that it went well at the end of the match."
Nicolas Pepe had a much more subdued outing in comparison to Tavares but his Nice side were beaten 2-1 by Rennes extending their winless run in Ligue 1 to three games either side of the World Cup break.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was in the Southampton team that were beaten by Fulham on New Year's Eve and will be hopeful of being involved against Nottingham Forest later in the week. The same applies to Alex Runarsson when Alanyaspor travel to Kasımpaşa in the Turkish Super Lig on Thursday.
With the return of Serie A imminent, Pablo Mari could make his first competitive appearance for Monza since being stabbed during an attack in a Milan supermarket back in September. The defender has featured in a couple of warm-up games so could be fine to face Fiorentina.
Marcelo Flores could cross paths with reported Arsenal transfer target Joao Felix with Real Oviedo hosting Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Staying in Spain and Miguel Azeez might be in line to feature for UD Ibiza in their league meeting with Eibar on Sunday night.
As the top two leagues in the Netherlands resume from Friday, it means defender Omar Rekik as well as forward pair Mika Biereth and Nikolaj Moller could feature for Sparta Rotterdam, RKC Waalwijk and Den Bosch respectively.
For the remaining seven Arsenal loanees, they didn't play for one reason or another. Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand, Alex Kirk and Tyreece John-Jules are all long-term absentees, whilst it was confirmed before Reims' draw with Lille that Folarin Balogun - after netting twice against Rennes - was left out as a precaution with a hamstring complaint.
Tom Smith was an unused substitute as Bromley drew 0-0 with Southend United in the National League, whilst Ryan Alebiosu and Mazeed Ogungbo failed to make the Kilmarnock and Crawley Town matchday squads respectively.
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