Heading into the October international break with an unbeaten record across all competitions, Arsenal is benefiting from smart decisions in the transfer market, especially their ability to offload surplus players for fair prices. While several Arsenal players like Aaron Ramsdale, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah were sold for reasonable sums during the summer transfer window, seven others were sent out on loan for the 2024-25 season, with varying levels of success.
Some of these loanees are fighting for a future at Arsenal, while others are aiming for permanent moves to their current clubs or trying to attract interest from other teams ahead of a potential exit in 2025. Will the team be able to keep up their stellar play after the break?
Reiss Nelson- Fulham
Arsenal players looking to stay in London after leaving the club often find Fulham to be a welcoming destination, with the Premier League side now featuring four former Gunners in their first team. Nelson joined Marco Silva’s squad on loan after a difficult 2023-24 season at Arsenal, where he was largely sidelined despite signing a new contract.
Nelson has made a strong start to life at Fulham, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his first five appearances. He found the back of the net against Preston North End in the EFL Cup and Newcastle United in the Premier League, while also assisting Rodrigo Muniz in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City. However, all of his Premier League appearances so far have come as a substitute, with his only start occurring in the dramatic EFL Cup penalty shootout loss to Preston.
Fabio Vieira- FC Porto
Mikel Arteta might be questioning the decision to allow both Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira to leave in the same transfer window, especially after Martin Odegaard’s severe ankle injury. Despite this, Arsenal have managed to cope fairly well without their captain in recent weeks.
The Portuguese midfielder has only appeared as a substitute in three games, playing a total of 54 minutes, largely due to a muscular injury that hindered him in his early weeks back at Porto. Since recovering, Vieira has come off the bench in Porto’s last three matches, including the dramatic 3-3 Europa League draw with Manchester United. However, he still finds himself behind players like Pepe and Galeno in the team hierarchy.
Nuno Tavares- Lazio
After a successful loan spell at Marseille and a less fruitful stint with Nottingham Forest, Tavares moved to Lazio this summer. The 24-year-old has now emerged as Serie A’s top assist provider, boasting more assists than any other player in the league. Tavares has delivered five assists in just as many league matches for Lazio, surpassing Romelu Lukaku and Rafael Leao. He contributed two assists in a 2-2 draw with AC Milan and has since assisted goals against Fiorentina, Torino, and Empoli in consecutive game weeks.
Tavares has made a strong case for a permanent stay at Lazio, with the club likely to secure his services next summer if certain conditions are met. His early success suggests he’s on the right path to earning a long-term deal with the Italian side.
Marquinhos- Fluminense
Marquinhos, once seen as a rising talent, quickly found himself in Arsenal’s first team in 2022, surprising many with a goal and assist in a Europa League match against FC Zurich. However, the Brazilian winger struggled to break into the Gunners’ established lineup of wingers.
Following disappointing loan spells at Nantes and Norwich City, Marquinhos returned to Brazil with Fluminense in February. Over the past eight months, the 21-year-old has made 25 appearances but delivered a modest output, scoring just two goals and providing two assists for the club. Marquinhos has since dealt with two hamstring injuries and has been left on the bench for five of Fluminense’s last six league games. Given his struggles, his future at Arsenal seems uncertain.
For More Great Content
Craving top-tier content that covers it all? From electrifying sports highlights and insider entertainment news to expert gaming tips and sharp betting advice, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our curated articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the lowdown on gaming strategies that could level up your play. Plus, our betting advice will sharpen your edge and boost your chances of winning big. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, our content is your go-to source for all things exciting and relevant. Don’t miss out—explore now and power up your knowledge! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports, to stay informed.
