Young winger Charles Sagoe Jr has returned to Arsenal after his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town was cut short due to a lack of playing time.
But Mikel Arteta is unlikely to consider giving the 20-year-old a chance in a hectic January, despite playing in the same position as the injured Bukayo Saka.
If Sagoe Jr plays for injury-hit Gunners, who will make nine appearances in four competitions in January, he will be unable to go out on loan this season as FIFA bans players from making appearances for three clubs in one season.
Sagoe Jr made just five starts for Shrewsbury in League One, with eight more appearances off the bench. He failed to contribute a single goal or assist.
And Gareth Ainsworth, who became manager in mid-November, looked set to hand the Hale End graduate even fewer opportunities as they face an uphill battle for survival in the third tier.
Last weekend's defeat to Leyton Orient leaves the Ainsworth side eight points clear of safety. They play promotion-chasing Huddersfield this weekend before hosting Wrexham on Thursday week.
“Shrewsbury Town can confirm that Charles Sagoe Jr has returned to parent club Arsenal,” the club said on Monday.
“We would like to thank Charles for all his hard work over the past five months. The club wishes him and his family every success for the future.”
Arsenal host Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening, before hosting Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday's draw against Brighton – even though five first-choice players were missing from the starting line-up due to illness, injury and suspension – ensured that Arsenal could not put pressure on leaders Liverpool, who surprisingly dropped points against United.
But defender Riccardo Calafiori stressed on the south coast that it is far too early to talk about the title race.
“It's certainly too early,” said the Italian. “I hope it's the last time we lose two points like this and we definitely have to focus on the next game and try to dominate and score a lot of goals.
“It's my first season in the Premier League, but you can never predict it. The season is long, we are prepared for everything. We felt like we could definitely have done better, and after the goal we scored, we could have dominated more.
“We just have to focus on the next game and not spend so much time thinking about the last game.”
Comments