Arsenal sent a significant number of players out on loan this season of which many went under the radar, and the next step is set to be crucial for many of them
15:00, 02 Jun 2026Updated 16:14, 02 Jun 2026
Fabio Vieira and Ethan Nwaneri could both leave Arsenal this summer
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Fabio Vieira and Ethan Nwaneri could both leave Arsenal this summer(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal had several of their squad out on loan last season in both the senior setup and youth system. Some players returned in January to finish the season, while others spent either the entire campaign or the second half away from the club.
Mikel Arteta has big ambitions for his squad now that they have been crowned Premier League champions. Whether the strategy includes any of those who departed is yet to be confirmed for the majority, however some are on their way out already.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at all nine players who finished loan spells at the end of the Premier League season. Discussing what their next steps are, and whether they stay, go or leave on yet another loan move.
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Jakub Kiwior
No speculation needed here, Arsenal struck a deal with Porto last summer which would see the Polish defender leave permanently for €17million (£14.7million) this summer despite it being, on paper, a loan with an option.
The same deal was made with Bayer Leverkusen for Piero Hincapie, who will become a permanent Arsenal player for €52million (£45million) when the window opens.
Verdict: Sold.
Fabio Vieira
A complicated situation for the Portuguese international. Having joined Hamburg last season on loan with an option of €20million included, the German side are not expected to activate the option despite still wanting the player and Vieira being keen on staying.
However, Arsenal know there is interest from elsewhere and will hope to maximise any sale, which is the only route forward for Vieira from the Gunners, after a solid season in the Bundesliga.
Verdict: Sell.
Ethan Nwaneri
Marseille did not secure an option to buy in their loan move for Ethan Nwaneri, but even if they had, the likelihood of Habib Beye wanting it to be activated would have likely been slim after he openly scrutinised the youngster’s application during his time with OM. Falling out of favour after Roberto De Zerbi left, Marseille ended up paying a bigger loan fee to Arsenal as a result of Nwaneri’s lack of game time.
Returning to Arsenal, the presence of Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze and especially Max Dowman, with even Morgan Rogers potentially on the way, means the pathway is arguably more clogged than when he left on loan. Many have argued that he could have offered more than Noni Madueke did on the right, but the winger appeared entrenched, and so a pure profit sale or another loan seems the likeliest outcome.
Which had that been posited a year ago, people would have been outraged, and many still will be.
Verdict: Sell.
Reiss Nelson
The winger will be sold, we hope. He needs a permanent resolution to his nomadic career of loans, injury and uncertainty. And I sincerely hope that he does finally settle and make the most of his late twenties.
Verdict: Sell.
Karl Hein
Another with no speculation, the Estonian will join Werder Bremen on a permanent move when the window opens. The 24-year-old joined the Bundesliga side on loan at the start of the 2025/26 season and it has been confirmed he will be the club's No.1 for the 2026/27 campaign.
On joining the German side permanently, Hein said: "I’m delighted to be staying in Bremen for longer. Werder is one of the Bundesliga’s biggest clubs with a rich history. I felt at home in the city of Bremen and at SVW from day one, and I’m delighted to be able to continue being part of this institution."
Verdict: Sold.
Lucas Nygaard
The young goalkeeper joined Danish side Braband IF in the second tier and made 12 appearances, conceding 14 goals and keeping a single clean sheet.
It is unlikely he has a future with Arsenal, but they will look to find him either another loan to improve his value before a sale or cut their losses this summer.
Verdict: Loan.
Louie Copley
There is definitely appreciation for Louie Copley at Arsenal; the 19-year-old has been a captain of the youth teams and went on his first loan spell to League Two side Crawley Town in January.
He made nine appearances, mainly breaking through toward the back end of the season, and claimed an assist in a 3-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers, the only goal contribution of his time. Most likely, the next step is a full-season loan in the English pyramid once again.
Insight from Sam Truelove (Regular attendee at Crawley Town): “He was a good player and did not look out of place in League Two. Struggled with injuries for a period initially after joining the club in January and was in and out of the team because of this. Another year of senior football could be ideal for the teenager, perhaps in League One if not League Two.”
Verdict: Loan.
Ismeal Kabia
Now 20 years old, Ismeal Kabia is reaching a big decision point in his Arsenal career. Having signed a deal with the club in 2025, the Gunners can either look to sell, or see if he can build on his first senior loan.
Unlike many of his Arsenal youth teammates, he became a regular at League Two Shrewsbury Town, picked up a goal of the month award, for one of his two goals, and two assists, with more than 3000 minutes under his belt.
Verdict: Loan.
Charles Sagoe Jr
While the other Arsenal loanees have seen their loans concluded, Charles Sagoe Jr’s remains ongoing. He joined Swedish side Kalmar FF, whose season plays through the summer, with the deal ending at the end of this year.
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So far, he has one goal and five assists in ten Allsvenskan matches. Turning 22 next month, his career now needs to find its footing with a permanent role at Arsenal extremely unlikely.
Verdict: See how it goes.
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