Loan Watch: Denilson Sent Off Again | Almunia Keeps A Clean Sheet!

Now that the normal abundance of football has returned after the interlull, a number of on-loan players have once more received vital experience and playing time as they bid to make the first team squad on their return.

Samuel Galindo:

Gimnastic de Tarragona, the Bolivian’s side, has played twice since the last roundup; the Segunda Division does not stop during international breaks, meaning they have had two complete game weeks. The first game was a 0-0 draw at home to FC Cartagena, in which Galindo came on for the final 7 minutes but was unable to break the deadlock. Gimnastic were then involved in a 2-2 draw away at Deportivo La Coruna as Galindo was left out of the match day squad altogether.

Denilson:

Sao Paulo have played three games since the last report and the Brazilian was in the thick of the action once again. Firstly, they were involved in a 3-3 away at Cruziero. This game came to life in the second half, with 5 goals as the balance swung repeatedly. In the 78th minute Denilson was booked, before picking up a second yellow in injury time. This is the midfielder’s third red card in just ten games – a surprising statistic if you consider he was never thought of a a malicious or even remotely aggressive player at Arsenal. This resulted in him being suspended for Sau Paulo’s 0-0 draw with Internacional, before returning, to little effect, for the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Athletico Clube Goianiense.

Henri Lansbury and Manuel Almunia:

The midfielder was rested for West Ham’s 4-0 demolishing of Blackpool at the weekend after playing twice for the England under21s the previous week, whilst the Spanish goalkeeper played and was pleased to keep a clean sheet. However, both Lansbury and Almunia played the full 90 minutes in a game the Spaniard compared to the Champions League Final he played with Arsenal. Defender Hooiveld headed past Almunia just before half-time to give Southampton a 1-0 home win – the loss makes the ‘keeper’s ludicrous comparison slightly more accurate; I’m sure we all remember how his inept display cost us against Barcelona in the summer of 2006. 

Pedro Botelho:

The left-sided player was involved for 56 minutes as Rayo Vallecano lost 0-1 at home to Real Espanyol. The away side were in control for much of the game and took the lead through Romaric after 55 minutes. Botelho was the immediately replaced by the striker Bangura as Vallecano looked to push for an equaliser. However, despite bringing on two other strikers, Vallecano were unable to get the goal that would have earned them a draw.

Joel Campbell:

The striker played 90 minutes as Loirent went down by 2 goals to 0 away to Stade Rennes. Kembo-Ekoko opened the scoring after 10 minutes with an fabulous free kick. Jonathan Pitroipa doubled their lead from the penalty spot after the hour; Arnaud Le Lan brought down Kembo-Ekoko and the referee pointed to the spot. Former Gunner Aliadiere wasted an excellent chance but Rennes came closer to extending their lead than Lorient did to pulling a goal back.