Arsenal: The fraught danger of relentless loans

Unai Emery and Arsenal have plenty of decisions to make regarding the future of young stars this summer. They should heed what history tells them: there is great danger in too many loans.

When Ivan Gazidis introduced Unai Emery last summer, one of the key traits of his management that he was keen to highlight was his work with and development of young players, speaking to the number of talented youngsters that were coming through the Arsenal system. In Gazidis’ eyes, Emery was to introduce these young players into the first team, and that that would make up for the difference in spending in comparison to Premier League rivals.

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Although it is a slightly naive and green outlook, there is some logic to it. To expect Emery to develop world-class players is perhaps harsh, but if all things break right, it can indeed help bridge the gap that will inevitably open up in the transfer window/s.

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However, in developing these young talents, careful management is absolutely necessary, and not just in the coaching of their respective skill sets in training but also in terms of where and when and how much they play.

Typically, big teams have used the loan market to provide their young players with first-team opportunities. That way, they mitigate the risk for themselves but also still offer minutes for developing players who can then return to the club and fight for a first-team place.

The loan system, if used correctly, can be hugely beneficial to an individual’s personal and footballing development. There is, after all, nothing like playing senior, first-team matches. But history must also be heeded, and there is plenty of examples throughout history that speak to the problems that arise from relentless loan spells.

At Arsenal alone, there are many formerly apparently glittering talents that never overcame the incessant year-long loan cycle: Joel Campbell, Chuba Akpom, Gedion Zelalem, just to name a few. Too many loans can, in some cases, be detrimental to the player’s development. There often comes a point where a brave decision needs to be made. A loan is an easy out, one to deflect the pressure of first-team results away from the manager who needs to win football matches. But it is not always the best course of action.

This summer, there are many young players who are at the stage where they could be loaned out for the year or kept at the Emirates: the big five I would name are: Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Dinos Mavropanos — Matteo Guendouzi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles should stay as they have established themselves as key members of the squad, while Bukayo Saka likely is not ready yet and should be loaned out.

For these five, there are very good reasons for loaning each out or keeping them at the club. I could very happily listen to an argument on both sides for every single player. What happens with them next season is down to Emery and how he wants to deal with their respective developments, but this is a crucial decision that could shape the rest of their careers. It is one Emery must get right. It is one he was brought to the club to make, if Gazidis is to be believed.

I do not know which should be loaned out or which should not. But I do know that this decision is vital to their careers. Emery, and his coaching staff and the players in question, must make the right choice, for the sake of both the individual and Arsenal football club.