Marquinhos can be the next Arsenal star to benefit from loan strategy after transfer twist

Arsenal's recent dealings with Ligue 1 clubs, particularly in the loan market bode well for Marquinhos who has been tipped to join Nantes for the 2023/24 season

There has been a twist with regard to the future of Arsenal winger Marquinhos.

In truth, a loan spell should benefit Marquinhos as despite a positive start to his Arsenal career following a £3million transfer from Sao Paulo last summer - highlighted by a goal and assist against FC Zurich - he endured 'a slightly disappointing night' against FK Bodo/Glimt a few weeks later and subsequently saw his game time reduced either side of the World Cup break.

He then joined Norwich City on loan for the remainder of last season, but aside from a goal and an assist on his debut for the Championship outfit the spell was largely forgettable and has returned to his parent club in the knowledge that he is likely to find regular game time even harder to come by in the new campaign.

As mentioned above, a move to Nantes would be beneficial for the youngster's development and if Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar have had a change of heart over where to send the Brazilian for the season, there's a good reason for why they've picked the French club over Olympiacos.

A familiar trend has developed at the north London outfit in recent transfer windows with several first-team players joining Ligue 1 clubs on loan and going on to enjoy a large degree of success. The standout name is, of course, William Saliba as it's safe to say spells with Nice and certainly Marseille have helped mould him into the central defender he is today.

Though Nuno Tavares and Nicolas Pepe didn't have the best of times in France last season, things did start well before petering out for one reason or another and then there's Matteo Guendouzi who earned Arsenal a nice £9.4million windfall after joining Marseille permanently 12 months ago following an impressive loan spell.

There's something about regular first-team football in Ligue 1 that brings out the best in Arsenal players and whilst he has some big footsteps to follow, perhaps Marquinhos will be the next to reap the benefits of this blueprint to either force his way into Arteta's plans for the 2024/25 campaign or put the Gunners in a position to make a profit on his £3million transfer fee next summer.

Which of the following rising stars would you promote or send out on loan? Swipe to have your say...