Arsenal: Predicting the future of every loan player

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Saint-Etienne’s French defender William Saliba gestures during the French L1 football match between Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) on October 20, 2019, at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arsenal currently have five first-team players out on loan. Here, I predict the futures of all five upon their returns to the club at the end of the current season.

A loan move can make or break a player. Sometimes, it is the indication that their time at their parent club is drawing to a close. Other times, it is a catalyst for their development and careers. So how might the current loan deals within the Arsenal squad, of which there are five, impact the players and their futures?

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Here, I predict the futures of the five Arsenal players currently out on loan.

GENT, BELGIUM – FEBRUARY 27: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of AS Roma in action during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between KAA Gent and AS Roma at Ghelamco Arena on February 27, 2020 in Gent, Belgium. (Photo by Vincent Van Doornick/Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

In one of the worst trades in football history, Arsenal swapped Alexis Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan two-and-a-half years ago. Bar a few promising displays, Mkhitaryan has largely disappointed since his arrival. And that is only more pertinent given his near £200,000-per-week wage.

This season, Mkhitaryan was shipped off to Roma. He has performed well in Italy, scoring six goals and adding three assists in only 811 Serie A minutes. Mkhitaryan has impressed Roma boss Paulo Fonseca also. “Mkhi during this season got some injuries but he is returning now and he is proving his quality,” Fonseca told Sky Sports News. “He is a player with great decisions on the pitch and I would also like to keep Mkhi in our team.”

At 31 and with one year remaining on his contract, it is unlikely that Mkhitaryan will return to Arsenal and stay at the club in the summer. The most likely result in a permanent sale to Roma, perhaps in the region of £15 million after a £10 million bid was rejected earlier this season.

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