Arsenal loan latest
It was a frustrating week for members of this season's Arsenal's loan army.
With Charles Sagoe Jr returning from his loan spell at League One Shrewsbury Town earlier this month and Jack Henry-Francis back in north London after a brief stint at Sligo Rovers, the Gunners now have just five players out on loan at other clubs. One of those is goalkeeper Karl Hein, who had an afternoon to forget in Spain on Saturday.
The 22-year-old's Real Valladolid side welcome La Liga giants Real Madrid to the Estadio Jose Zorrilla. Always going to be a tough match with Valladolid rock bottom of the league at the moment, Kylian Mbappe put on a masterclass as he smashed a hat-trick past Arsenal's young goalkeeper.
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Hein, who has five clean sheets in 22 appearances for Real Valladolid this season, did make one good save from Antonio Rudiger early on but could do little about Mbappe's three goals, which included a penalty by the Frenchman. While Valladolid may not be having the best season, Hein believes the experience is helping him become a better goalkeeper.
Speaking in November, Hein said: "Even though the team is down, my first loan outside is being a very good experience for me. I think I'm doing my job well, helping a lot, I'm happy. The level of La Liga is very good. Except against Barcelona, I think we have competed and been close to winning all our games."
He added: "I notice that individually I have improved a lot, but I want more. I want to keep improving, I seek perfection."
Seven of our players out on loan got minutes under their belts last week, including three debut appearances.
In La Liga, Albert Sambi Lokonga played the full 90 minutes as Sevilla played out a 1-1 home draw with relegation-threatened Espanyol.
Marash Kumbulla opened the scoring for the visitors before Lokonga's side struck back through Loic Bade. The result leaves Sevilla in 11th, three points off the European places.
Meanwhile, Karl Hein couldn't keep out Kylian Mbappe as the Frenchman scored a hat-trick for Real Madrid against Real Valladolid.
Mbappe scored twice in 30 minutes before a late penalty sealed the treble on a tough afternoon for Hein's Valladolid team. That keeps Pucelanos rooted to the foot of the table, five points from safety.
Fabio Vieira played 90 minutes of FC Porto's 1-1 draw at home to Santa Clara on Sunday to remain third in Liga Portugal, level on points with Benfica and six behind Sporting.
In Brazil, Marquinhos was a second half substitute in Cruzeiro's 1-1 draw against Betim in the Campeonato Mineiro.
The winger replaced William at half-time as Lautaro Diaz rescued a late point for Marquinhos' side after falling behind in the 38th minute to Eurico's effort.
Players who weren’t included in matchday squads:
Reiss Nelson (Fulham)
Nuno Tavares (Lazio)
