Arteta set to bring back Arsenal star likened to Saka after transfer plan fails
Arsenal are in talks to cut Marquinhos' season-long loan at Ligue 1 outfit FC Nantes short amid the winger's lack of game time.
The Brazil U23 international joined the Gunners on a long-term contract in the summer of 2022 from Sao Paulo but found first-team opportunities hard to come by during his maiden campaign at the Emirates - and unfortunately that trend has continued away from north London this year.
After spending the second half of last season on loan at Norwich, Marquinhos, 20, joined Nantes on another temporary deal back in August. However, he's started just one match and is now expected to return to his parent club this month.
That's according to a new report from French outlet L’Équipe, who claim the youngster could now head back to the Emirates after making just seven appearances in total during his spell with Nantes.
While it remains to be seen if Marquinhos will get an opportunity to stake a first-team claim at Arsenal should his recall proceed without a hitch, he's clearly a player who is held in high regard at the club.
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He was even likened to Bukayo Saka by former Arsenal defender Martin Keown after grabbing a goal and an assist on his debut in the Europa League against FC Zurich back in September 2022. Speaking last January, Keown told BT Sport: “Marquinhos is not playing tonight but he played in that very first game in Europe exceptionally well.
Join the debate! Do you think Marquinhos is ready for the Arsenal first-team? Let us know here.
Arsenal winger Marquinhos could be recalled from a season-long loan with FC Nantes in January (Salvio Calabrese/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock)"It was like Saka in that position, it’s almost a copycat performance. That’s what you’re really looking for. He’s got a huge future ahead of him. That’s a real opportunity now ahead of him. Saka is only a couple of years older himself, but such is the quality he’s going to get chances."
Arteta was also full of praise for Marquinhos after said match against Zurich. He said of the winger and his goalscoring debut: "He’s a player that is very popular, with no English, just with his smile and attitude has won the respect and admiration of everybody here.
"It was a big step for him as he hasn’t played enough minutes with us but we were willing to give him the opportunity, I think he deserved it. He took it really well and again, it’s another player that needs to keep developing, in order to do that we have to give them minutes and opportunities."
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