Arsenal loanees continue to shine in Ligue 1

Arsenal’s loanees continued to shine this weekend, with Nuno Tavares and Folarin Balogun netting again.

Both young talents scored on their Ligue 1 debuts last week, and have continued their goal scoring touch into the second week of the French footballing calendar. 

Tavares opened his account last week against Balogun’s Reims side, cutting inside from the left wing, before drilling a precise finish home from outside the area.

The Portuguese star ran riot that game, in his element when his attacking responsibilities were maximised and defensive responsibilities minimised.

In that same game, Balogun scored the consolation goal for his side, an instinctive header into the left hand corner, leaving Blanco stranded.

Heading into the second game-week, Balogun started against Clermont Foot.

He drove his side to a 2-0 lead, winning his side's first penalty, and scoring a second Reims penalty.

However, unfortunately for Reims, after an early second half sending off the French outfit collapsed, succumbing to a 4-2 defeat. 

As for Tavares, the marauding wing-back put in an archetypal Nuno performance.

He gave his side a 1-0 lead away to Brest, an excellent finish running in at the back-post.

Yet, despite scoring, he finished the game the worst player on his team according to sofascore, with a 6.3 rating. 

Being away from the harsh Emirates spotlight allows the Portuguese youngster to make these mistakes.

There is evident offensive potential, a gloss currently tainted by defensive deficiency. 

As for loans elsewhere, the one Arsenal fans will be clamouring to hear about is how starlet Charlie Patino is fairing at Blackpool.

Having been MOTM for his performance against Barrow in the EFL cup, Patino found himself on the bench against Swansea.

He was subbed on with just 10 minutes to go in the 1-0 defeat. 

Despite that, the youngster has endeared himself to the Blackpool faithful already, with it seeming just a matter of time before he regularly starts for the Tangerines. 

Arsenal will be hoping to gain a group of better, more experienced players returning from loan.