According to Greek publication Sportime, Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos are interested in signing Konstantinos Mavropanos on loan.
What’s the word?
The Greek has barely featured for the Gunners this season thanks to injury problems, and only recently made his return from injury in the Europa League clash against Standard Liege.
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But with the likes of David Luiz, Sokratis, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding all ahead of him in the pecking order, Mavropanos’ game-time at the Emirates this campaign looks far from certain. And now, Sportime have claimed both Forest and Olympiacos are interesting in taking him on loan, with the report adding that a switch to the Championship is “more likely” at this point in time.
Much-needed
After a groin injury ruled him out for 14 games as per Transfermarkt this season, Mavropanos made his long-awaited return to first-team action against Liege last Thursday. Unfortunately for him, things didn’t pan out so well, with the display seeing fans of the north London take to Twitter after the game to criticise him.
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The £1.9m man made an early impression on former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, soon after arriving. He revealed that the 22-year-old “looked comfortable technically, he looks very mobile as a defender and he looks very pacy and strong in all aspects of defending”. In fact, such was the mark he left on the Frenchman, the Gunners decided to hang on to the Greek for the remainder of the season rather than letting him leave on loan, with the then north London side’s boss admitting the the first signs were “so encouraging”.
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But rather than really kicking on from there, injury issues have effectively halted his progress, whilst he also seen the likes of Sokratis and Luiz arrive at the club to further limit his potential game-time – since his arrival at the Emirates, he has made a disappointing total of just eight senior appearances. A loan switch to the likes of Forest or Olympiacos in order to get regular first-team football again could be exactly what he needs. It may be the kick-start and catalyst for the 6 foot 4 powerhouse to truly achieve his potential.
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have hailed this starlet after his goal-scoring display for the U23s.