Arsenal duo keep Blues bubbling

Eight Arsenal stars are currently away from Arsenal on loan. Defender Kerrea Gilbert will spend the entire season at Cardiff while Fabrice Muamba and Sebastian Larsson do likewise at Birmingham. Nicklas Bendtner is also at St. Andrews until January. Elsewhere Arturo Lupoli will spend the rest of the campaign at Derby, Vito Mannone has joined Barnsley for a three-month spell, Anthony Stokes is at Scottish Premier League side Falkirk and Matthew Connolly is with League One Bournemouth.

Keep up-to-date with the fortunes of all our loan stars in our regular Loan Watch...

Fabrice Muamba, Sebastian Larsson, Nicklas Bendtner
Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Birmingham City, December 16
Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastian Larsson both started as Birmingham retained top spot in the Championship with an impressive win at Hillsborough. The Swedish midfielder was substituted after 86 minutes and Bendtner followed him a minute from time with the points already secure. Stephen Clemence put Blues ahead three minutes before half time and Gary McSheffrey and Cameron Jerome struck after the break to keep Steve Bruce's team three points clear of Derby. The third Arsenal loanee at St. Andrews, Fabrice Muamba, did not feature on Saturday.

Arturo Lupoli
Derby County 1-0 Crystal Palace, December 16
Arturo Lupoli played the first 71 minutes as Derby maintained their promotion push with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Pride Park. The Italian striker was replaced by former Gunner Ryan Smith with the home side leading through David Jones' 22nd-minute goal. This narrow win keeps Derby in second place, three points behind leaders Birmingham City.

Kerrea Gilbert
Hull City 4-1 Cardiff City, December 16
Kerrea Gilbert did not feature as Cardiff's poor away form continued with a thumping defeat at Hull. The early-season pacesetters were three down at the break after goals from Damien Delaney, Dean Marney and Craig Fagan. Michael Chopra threw Cardiff a lifeline with a goal 10 minutes into the second half but the visitors' hopes were extinguished by Michael Bridges' effort 19 minutes from time. Cardiff are in fifth place, seven points behind leaders Birmingham City.

Vito Mannone
Leicester City 2-0 Barnsley, December 16
Vito Mannone did not feature as Barnsley were beaten 2-0 at the Walkers Stadium. Elvis Hammond broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time and Levi Porter added a second early in the second half as Leicester inflicted Barnsley's first defeat under caretaker manager Simon Davey. The Tykes are now fourth from bottom in the Championship.

Anthony Stokes
Falkirk 2-1 Hibernian, December 16
Anthony Stokes played 87 minutes before being replaced by John Stewart as Falkirk overcame Hibernian at the weekend. Shelton Martis' early own goal gave Falkirk the lead and Liam Craig doubled their advantage in the 21st minute. The visitors hit back through Steven Fletcher but Falkirk secured the win which takes them to within two points of Hibernian in seventh place.

Matthew Connolly
Gillingham 1-1 Bournemouth, December 16
Matthew Connolly made a late substitute appearance as Bournemouth bounced back from two consecutive defeats to earn a 1-1 draw at Gillingham. The visitors would have taken all three points but Andrew Croft's last-gasp strike cancelled out Sam Vokes' first-half opener. Connolly replaced Stephen Purches with four minutes remaining. Bournemouth lie fifth from bottom in League One but the three sides directly below them also have 21 points.

11/1 - Liverpool v Arsenal: Arsenal to win 2-1 in 90 minutes