Five players are currently away from Arsenal on loan. Swiss
international defender
Johan Djourou will be getting valuable Premiership experience
after joining newly-promoted Birmingham City until January.
Elsewhere, defender
Matthew Connolly will spend the entire campaign at Championship
club Colchester United while
Kerrea Gilbert and
Jay Simpson will be in League One with Southend United
and Millwall respectively. Promising Mexican striker
Carlos Vela will play his football in Spain with La Liga side
Osasuna.
Keep up-to-date with the fortunes of all our loan stars in our
regular Loan Watch.
Johan Djourou
Birmingham City 0-2 Portsmouth, November 24
Two very different goals separated the sides as Johan Djourou's
managerless Birmingham City side went down 2-0 to Portsmouth. Sully
Muntari will claim the first on 34 minutes although he owes much to
the poor goalkeeping of Richard Kingson. And Niko Kranjcar rocketed
in a spectacular free-kick eight minutes from time as Pompey
registered their fifth successive victory on the road - their last
defeat away from Fratton Park coming at Emirates Stadium.
Carlos Vela
Osasuna1-2 Espanyol, November 25
The introduction at half-time of Carlos Vela lifted what had been a
wimpish Osasuna performance. The side were trailing 2-0 at home to
Espanyol when the youngster came on, and before setting up what
turned out to be a consolation goal for Javier Portillo, he had a
goal of his own ruled out for offside. The result plunges Osasuna
deep into trouble and they hover just above the relegation zone on
goal difference.
Matthew Connolly
Crystal Place 2-1 Colchester United, November 24
One goal down and a man light were far from ideal conditions for
Matthew Connolly to enter the fray on 11 minutes at Selhurst Park.
Clinton Morrison had put the Eagles ahead before Pat Baldwin was
dismissed for hauling down the Republic of Ireland international
when he was through on goal. Johnnie Jackson levelled the scores on
69 minutes but Morrison fired home the winner 16 minutes from the
end.
Jay Simpson
Millwall 2-1 Yeovil, November 24
Jay Simpson was withdrawn just after the hour before Millwall
battled back from a goal down to defeat Yeovil 2-1 at the New Den.
The win was Kenny Jackett's first home win and came with goals
from Jamie O'Hara and Ali Fuseini in the final 20 minutes.
James Walker had leathered the visitors in front with a fabulous
volley shortly after the interval.
Kerrea Gilbert
Luton 1-0 Southend United, November 24
Kerrea Gilbert featured in a match day for the first time since
early September, although he was unused substitute. Having fallen
into administration, losing 10 points as a result, Luton was an
ideal place for the Shrimpers to visit as they looked for a first
win since November 3. However a Calvin Andrew goal on 74 minutes
secured a 1-0 win for the hosts, after Southend's Matt Harold
had missed an earlier penalty.
