Loan/Youth watch....

Been a while since I did one of these - I am sure you are all growing impatient...

LOANS
Wojciech Szczesny has once again soilidified his position as Roma number 1, starting all 15 Serie A games. He has kept 5 clean sheets and conceded 16.

Joel Campbell has found it harder at Sporting. Only 4 league starts, and yet to start in Europe. Has managed to score 3 times, but frustrating period.

Takuma Asano has 9 starts and 3 sub appearances in the second tier of German football. Used mainly in a wide attack role, Asano has 2 goals and 3 assists for Stuttgart.

Calum Chambers has established himself alongside Ben Gibson in Middlesbroughs defence. They currently have the 4th best defensive record in the league, and Chambers is growing in performance. 8 starts with 8 conceded in Chambers run of games.

Dan Crowley has had another very poor loan move. After being sent back by Barnsley last season, it seems to have happened again this season. He has made just 2 league starts for Oxford, with 4 sub appearances. He did manage to score 3 and assist twice in all competitions. Attitude problems seem to be at the centre of his alleged return.

Jon Toral has found game time at struggling Granada hard to come by, and now an ankle injury is further reducing his chances. A match winning goal in the Copa del Rey is his highlight, along with 3 starts and 1 sub appearance in La Liga (including a decent performance against Barca)

Julio Pleguezuelo has a similar story to tell at Mallorca. His only league start ended with a red card, although he has 2 Cup starts as well.

Tafari Moore has an Eredivisie appearance, but is playing far more regularly in the second tier for Utrechts second team.

Nigerian youngster Kelechi Nwakali has begun to establish himself as a key player at MVV Maastricht. After a slow start, he has now started 6 in a row.

Also at MVV, it is a different story for Stefan O'Connor. About 3 minutes game time in total!!

Glen Kamara, just over a year after making his Arsenal debut, cannot get into the Colchester team. 3 starts and 3 sub appearances is all he has managed.

Jack Wilshere - Getting 90 minutes under his belt regularly at Bournemouth. I am sure you know all you need to know.


YOUTH TEAMS

Disappointing in the UEFA Youth League, our under 19s went out yesterday following a 1-1 draw with Basel. We finished 3rd in our group with 4 of our games ending in draws. One win, and a crucial defeat at home to Basel meant progress was not possible.

A slightly better tale in the PL2. Currently 4th, with a record of W5, D1, L5 at the half way stage. Our current form sees us winning 3 in a row, scoring 9 without reply.

The Under 18s are 5th in their league, with too many draws hindering progress. Their record is W6, D5, L2 - drawing the last 3 in a row.

Edward Nketiah is enjoying a prolific season across the 3 teams. A hat-trick last time out for the U-23s being a highlight, while also getting a brace and an assist in our only UEFA Youth League win. He also has 10 goals in 9 games for the U-18s.

With January closing in, thoughts turn to loans. Chuba Akpom is struggling for fitness but will be one most likely to go.
Gedion Zelalem has struggled to get anywhere near the first team, and will another strong candidate.
Krystian Bielik has once again taken big steps in improving as a CB. Interesting to see if he is retained or given the chance to look for first team football in the second half of the season.
Chris Willock continues to impress, and with Arsenal senior experience under his belt, he could look for more experience on loan.

We sent a smaller number than usual amount of players on loan in the summer, so intriguing to see if that policy changes in January.