Arsenal make two key January loan transfer decisions

If there was any doubting that the January transfer window was in full swing, one need only look at the droves of Arsenal fans trying to decipher whether or not Dusan Vlahovic was waving goodbye to Fiorentina fans or apologising for missing a penalty.

Like analysing Gabriel’s Instagram posts down to the cloud formations in the background to work out where in the UK he might be, that transfer feeling is here.

Not in terms of incomings, though, with Arsenal only signing 16-year-old Lino Da Cruz Sousa from West Brom so far, although it’s a different story as far as outgoings are concerned.

In the senior setup the number of departures is set to reach four, with Pablo Mari and Sead Kolasinac joining Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Folarin Balogun by leaving in some capacity, while it’s been the other way around in the academies.

Arsenal make two key January loan transfer decisions with Miguel Azeez and Tyreece John-Jules recalled ahead of temporary moves elsewhere

Of the ten academy players who were out on loan at the beginning of the month, only two of those players are still in the same loan deal. Some of the returns have been injury related, while most have centered around not earning enough playing time.

Nikolaj Moller, for example, barely played for Viktoria Koln, a side in the third division of German football. He’s back and will be sent out elsewhere.

And the same applies for two more of those players recalled: Miguel Azeez and Tyreece John-Jules.

In the case of Azeez there were murmurs that he might come back to north London to help with the Gunners’ troublesome midfield woes, and while he may be involved in the squad that hosts Liverpool on Thursday, it’s largely expected that he’ll be sent out somewhere else for the remainder of the season. Mark Mann-Bryans is one of many to report the news.

Having barely got a sniff early on in his time at Pompey, Danny Cowley slowly started utilising him more often in midfield. While the minutes increased, they still didn’t suffice when it came to Arsenal’s development plan. He’s not ready for Premier League football yet.

It was the other way around for John-Jules, who featured in some capacity in 11 of Blackpool’s opening 12 Championship matches of the season. The 20-year-old never completed the full 90 but was played in his preferred centre-forward role, only for a lack of goals or assists during that time to see him fall out of favour.

Indeed, following that, John-Jules only made the bench one more time in the league. Arsenal have therefore understandably recalled him and a move elsewhere is on the cards.

The key is finding the right club. It’s so tough.

In the Championship managers may start by experimenting with younger players on loan, but in a division of such fine margins they more often than not fall back on their more recognised senior personnel. For John-Jules, a League One club might suit him best. For Azeez, he may well even go abroad, although staying in League One makes more sense.