Arsenal agree loan transfer with further deals expected

Arsenal are having no issue in securing loan departures for their promising young talents with a deal completed that will see Tyreece John-Jules join Blackpool on loan for the entirety of the 2021/22 season.

It hasn’t been the same story higher up, where moving players on this summer has proved troublesome for the Gunners’ first team squad due to the big wages their mediocre unwanted stars find themselves on.

There are no such concerns with the academy stars as a series of temporary moves are being sanctioned this window to provide Hale End graduates with valuable first team minutes across Europe. Nikolaj Moller has already joined German outfit Viktoria Köln and now John-Jules has also secured a move away.

The highly-rated forward has joined Neil Critchley’s side, following in the footsteps of Daniel Ballard last term. Arsenal were clearly content with the Seasiders’ handling of the centre-back and trust the club to do likewise with John-Jules.

Arsenal agree loan transfer with Blackpool for Tyreece John-Jules with further deals expected in summer window as part of academy shake-up

"“I’m delighted to be here and can’t wait to meet the lads and get out onto the pitch,” he told the Seasiders’ official site. “I’ve spent the last couple of seasons on loan in League One and wanted to challenge myself at the next level, and there’s no better place to come than Blackpool to do just that. “I spoke to the gaffer before joining and he made me feel comfortable and excited for the journey here, so I’m really excited for this coming season.”"

Having spent the past two seasons on loan at Lincoln and Doncaster respectively, John-Jules has been beset with injury issues limiting him to just 28 outings in that time. Despite those setbacks he still managed to chip in with six goals and three assists during those spells and a full unhindered campaign will be essential to his development.

John-Jules joining a Championship outfit, even if newly-promoted, doesn’t come without risk. It’s a high stakes division and should results be hard to come by then it’s instinctive for managers to rely on their most trusted options. Should the 20-year-old keep his place in the team it will be because he deserves it.

Per Mertesacker is in the process of a vast overhaul of the youth sides at Arsenal with multiple incomings and outgoings, all designed to offer those in the academy a clearer pathway into first team football and to raise the overall level from the ground up.

Steve Bould was relieved of his duties as Under-23 boss at the end of last season following the Gunners’ narrow escape from relegation in Premier League 2, the first of a number of changes designed to improve the competitiveness of the team.

More activity within the squad is in the works, with one more heading for loan move while another has been signed.

Continued…