Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac future dependent on crucial factor

Arsenal trimmed their squad of unwanted excess over the January transfer window. Amid countless outgoings, few were as welcome as Sead Kolasinac’s move to Schalke 04 on a six-month loan.

Ever since his goalscoring debut in the Community Shield, Sead Kolasinac has been a regular disappointment whether at left wing-back, left-back or as a makeshift central defender. His departure was warmly received, with any tears shed in north London only from those who’ve channeled their inner crocodile.

Apparent for over a year that the Bosnian was seeking a move back to Germany having become unhappy at Arsenal, while no permanent move could be sealed, securing an impressive loan fee for him to join Schalke was deemed a relative success.

Eventually joined by Shkodran Mustafi at the Veltins-Arena, the Bundesliga side quickly emerged as all Arsenal supporters’ favourite foreign outfit. Not one, but two fringe squad players joining the same team when nobody else was interested? Why, thank you kindly.

Sead Kolasinac future at Schalke dependent on them avoiding relegation or else Arsenal return beckons

While most have fully turned the page on Kolasinac’s Arsenal future it is easy to forget that it’s only temporary. Any lasting hopes of a permanent move to Schalke hinge on Die Königsblauen avoiding relegation this season and, well, that looks nigh-on impossible.

As per Ruhr24, slipping into the second tier would spell the end of any hopes the club have of keeping Kolasinac as the financial hit they’d suffer would make his wages beyond their means. Even with a wage cut, it’s a pipe-dream for them. As it is now, Arsenal are still paying a portion of his salary.

Come the summer he’ll only have one year left to run on his Arsenal deal, and with Schalke nine points adrift of the relegation play-off positions with just one league win since January 2020(!) their task looks perilous. Magic Musti to the rescue?

The club’s sporting director, Jochen Schneider, has spoken publicly of his desire to keep Kolasinac in Gelsenkirchen for the rest of his career, with Kolasinac also expressing his love for his former side since returning, so the sentiment is there.

27-year-old Kolasinac will nonetheless leave Arsenal in the summer, although any operation would be made smoother if his current employers can hold on to their top-flight status. It’d be one less thing to worry about.