Arsenal loan watch week 5: Balogun, Norton-Cuffy, Pepe, Tavares and more

A total of 15 Arsenal loanees were in action across 11 divisions over the weekend.

Balogun, Tavares and Trusty continued to impress, while there were also two debutants.

Here is how all 15 got on.

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For all of our dedicated Arsenal transfer news, injuries, fixtures and results, take a look at 101Arsenal.

Folarin Balogun (Stade de Reims)

Balogun grabbed his fourth and fifth goals in Ligue 1, taking him to the third highest scorer in the competition (behind Neymar and Kylian Mbappe), as his side took four points from a possible six across the last week.

Coming on as a second-half substitute, the 21-year-old scored a penalty with the score at 2-2 to help his side beat Angers 4-2 and record their first win of the season.

Tyreece John-Jules (Ipswich Town)

John-Jules had another game to forget for Ipswich Town, lasting just 62 minutes before he was taken off in Ipswich’s 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley, continuing their unbeaten record to keep them at the top of League One. The striker has one goal in seven games for the Tractor Boys so far this season.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Rotherham United)

Norton-Cuffy featured twice for the Millers, but they could only pick up 1 point from 6 as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Sunderland before holding Watford to a 1-1 draw. The result leaves Rotherham in 13th place in the Championship.

Hard fought point today 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/jcKJM3GLbd

— Brooke Norton-Cuffy (@brookenc2) September 3, 2022

Nuno Tavares (Marseille)

Nuno Tavares continued to impress for Marseille as they continued their unbeaten start to the season with two wins in five days.

However, the Portuguese defender hit out at the Gunners for refusing to include an option to buy in the loan deal with the French side, telling RMC Sport:

“At Arsenal, I do not know if it was a problem of competition with Kieran Tierney, but for me, that’s not even the point.

“I came to Marseille to finally be able to play in my position. When signing with OM, I wanted to have an option to buy, but Arsenal refused. With my agents, we always wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal didn’t.

“Now I’m at OM, and with or without an option, I’m happy. At Arsenal, I would have probably only played in the cup.”

Nicolas Pepe (OGC Nice)

Nicolas Pepe opened his account for Nice as he scored from the spot to help his side to a 2-1 win over his former side Lille. The Ivorian won the penalty before dusting himself down to convert, and completed 2 dribbles in the game too.

He was less successful in the second game of the week, however, managing just one shot on target as Nice fell to a 1-0 defeat to Monaco, leaving them hovering just one place above the extended Ligue 1 relegation zone this season.

Nice, France, 28th August 2022. Nicolas Pepe of OGC Nice is pursued by Sean Kolasinac of Olympique De Marseille during the Uber Eats Ligue 1 match at Allianz Riviera Stadium, Nice. Picture credit should read: Jonathan Moscrop / Sportimage Credit: Sportima 2JT6C73 Nice, France, 28th August 2022. Nicolas Pepe of OGC Nice is pursued by Sean Kolasinac of Olympique De Marseille during the Uber Eats Ligue 1 match at Allianz Riviera Stadium, Nice. Picture credit should read: Jonathan Moscrop / Sportimage Credit: Sportimage/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

Arthur Okonkwo (Crewe Alexandra)

Arthur Okonkwo was on the losing side as Crewe fell to a 2-1 defeat against Stevenage in League Two. The goalkeeper was unfortunate to see his parry fall at the feet of Crewe’s striker for the equalising goal just after half time. For the second goal, it was his missed punch that saw the ball fall at the same man’s feet to tap into an empty net.

Auston Trusty (Birmingham City)

Trusty’s Birmingham City picked up three points from their two games, with the USA centre-back playing 90 minutes on both occasions. After losing 2-1 to Norwich City, Trusty and his side were much more impressive against Preston North End, where they came away with a 1-0 win, handing North End their first defeat of the season. Trusty managed seven clearances and committed just one foul on the left side of the defence.

The defender continues to endear himself to the Birmingham fans with his strong performances.

USA, USA, USA! 🇺🇸

Some Trusty content for you, @USMNT. 😏 pic.twitter.com/del7MPfgdw

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) September 3, 2022

Mazeed Ogungbo (Crawley Town)

Ogungbo played 90 minutes as his side held Salford City to a 2-2 draw in League Two. Crawley are still waiting for their first win of the season, and are hovering just above the relegation zone.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Southampton)

Maitland-Niles made his Southampton debut from the bench as a second-half substitute in their 1-0 loss to Wolves. He replaced Joe Aribo in central midfield for the final 17 minutes of the encounter.

Tim Akinola (Chesterfield)

Akinola also made his debut in midfield this weekend, coming on as a second-half substitute to help his side to a 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic in the National League. His side remain atop the table after seven games courtesy of an unbeaten start to the season.

Marcelo Flores (Real Oviedo)

Flores is expected to be in the starting XI for Real Oviedo this evening when they take on Levante.

Ryan Alebiosu (Kilmarnock)

Alebiosu played 73 minutes for Killie, winning 8 of his 11 duels and completing 3 dribbles from right wing-back.

Alex Kirk (Ayr United)

Alex Kirk helped his Ayr side continue their unbeaten start to the season, playing 90 minutes as they beat Greenock Morton 2-1.

Runar Alex Runarsson (Alanyaspor)

Runarsson is yet to pick up his first win at Alanyaspor, conceding twice as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Nikolaj Moller (FC Den Bosch)

Moller was a half-time substitute for Den Bosch as he stepped up his recovery from injury, but could not influence the game as his side went on to lose 2-1, leaving them 19th in the Eerste Divisie.

Unused/not in squad

Omar Rekik (Sparta Rotterdam)

Rekik was an unused substitute as Sparta Rotterdam beat FC Volendam 4-0.

Mika Biereth (RKC Waalwijk)

Biereth was not part of the Waalwijk squad for 5-2 win over Excelsior.

Ovie Ejeheri (Chelmsford City)

Ejeheri was an unused substitute as Chelmsford found themselves on the wrong end of a seven goal thriller, losing 4-3 to Havant and Waterlooville.

Injured

Harry Clarke (Stoke City)

Clarke continues to be sidelined with a shin injury picked up ahead of last week’s fixtures. On August 13th, the Stoke City boss explained: “Harry’s got a shin injury and will take a period of rest. We’re not sure how long that will be as yet but I shouldn’t imagine we’ll see him for a number of weeks.”

⏳ pic.twitter.com/BeXBPQkloO

— Harry Clarke (@HarryyClarke6) August 15, 2022

Charlie Patino (Blackpool)

Patino continues to be sidelined for Blackpool through an ankle injury.

Pablo Mari (Monza)

Mari has picked up a muscle injury and is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks.

Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand (Hull City)

Salah is still waiting to make his Tigers debut.

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