Three Arsenal loan players who could make an impact during 2021/22

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Arsenal have been relatively inconsistent again during 2020/21 under the management of Mikel Arteta. As the end of the current campaign nears a close, attentions could start to turn towards next season.

The Gunners have no fewer than 17 players out on loan this season and talk will naturally turn towards whether any of those can make an impact during 2021/22.

Arteta’s team sit in ninth place in the Premier League and have a last-eight clash with Slavia Prague to look forward to in the Europa League.

There is still plenty to play for during the current campaign but the powers that be – and Arteta – will likely have one eye on the summer transfer window.

Ahead of the current campaign drawing to a close we look at three players currently out on loan who could find themselves in contention next season.

William Saliba

The French defender is probably the best Arsenal player to have never actually made an appearance for the first-team in the eyes of supporters,

Earlier in the campaign, the fan base was up in arms that Arteta refused to hand him a chance to shine at the Emirates Stadium.

They were even more incensed when the Spanish boss opted to send him out on loan to Nice for the second half of the season.

Saliba has made 12 Ligue 1 appearances since checking in with his temporary club and he’ll hope to play a part next season.

The £40,000-a-week player could earn a shot in Arteta’s team next season, however, and it’ll be interesting to see what he is capable of.

Joe Willock

Whether the Hale End graduate gets to play much next season will largely depend on who Arsenal can attract themselves.

He is currently on loan with Newcastle, however, and enjoying a spell playing regular first-team football.

At 21 the youngster still has plenty of time on his side and supporters love seeing their own players step up to play regular first-team football.

Willock could have a similar impact to Emile Smith Rowe if he’s given a chance to shine and he will hope to catch Arteta’s eye in pre-season.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Currently on loan at West Brom, another player who will hope to catch the eye is 23-year-old performer Maitland-Niles.

During his time at The Hawthorns, he has made seven appearances, playing in his preferred position of central midfield.

More often than not at the Emirates Stadium, he has found himself considered the utility man.

He will hope that a run of games through the middle can help him prove a point to Arteta back at Arsenal.

His injection of energy alongside the likes of Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey could make him a decent option next season.