Loan watch: Balogun on the scoresheet once again

Our Gunners enjoyed cup success for their loan clubs this weekend as Folarin Balogun and Nuno Tavares are through to the round of 16 in the Coupe de France. 

Balogun bagged his tenth goal this season, earning and converting a penalty for Reims against Les Herbiers. Our 21-year-old striker opened the scoring in the 37th minute and the visitors continued their dominance in the second half, ultimately securing a 3-0 win and a place in the next round. 

Tavares and Marseille are also through to the next round after a 1-0 win over Rennes. Our young left-back put in another strong 90-minute performance for the French side, as former Gunner Matteo Guendouzi scored the game's only goal after an hour of play. 

Fresh from his Coventry City debut last weekend, Brooke Norton-Cuffy was heavily involved in one of the Sky Blues' goals against Norwich City. Though the Canaries eventually soared to a 4-2 win, Norton-Cuffy looked bright throughout his 67-minute appearance. 

Elsewhere in the Championship, Auston Trusty played the full game as a left-back for Birmingham City in their 2-1 loss against Preston North End.

Academy midfielder Miguel Azeez, who joined Wigan Atheltic on loan earlier this month, featured for the first hour of play as the Latics hosted Luton Town. The game finished 2-0 to the visitors, and Wigan's search for a Championship win stretches into February.

Goalkeeper Alex Runarsson featured in the Turkish Super Lig as his loan club Alanyaspor drew 2-2 with Fatih Karagumruk. In the Dutch Eerste Divisie, Nikolaj Moller was a 57th-minute substitute for Den Bosch as they beat Jong PSV 1-0, with Anass Ahannach popping up with the late winner. 

Pablo Mari came off the bench in the second half as Monza drew 1-1 with Sassuolo in Serie A, and in Scottish Cup action, Ryan Alebiosu was brought on in the 72nd minute for Kilmarnock in their 1-0 win over Dunbarton. Kilmarnock now face Dundee United in the fifth round of the second-oldest cup competition in football. 

This weekend also saw two of our goalkeepers make debuts for their loan clubs in friendlies. Arthur Okonkwo impressed on his first appearance for Sturm Graz in their 1-1 friendly draw with Polish side Wisla Plock. Meanwhile, Ovie Ejeheri was a second-half substitute for SJK Seinajoki as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against Estonia's Paide. Ejeheri did not concede during his time between the posts and was praised by his new boss Joaquin Gomez after the match.