Arsenal winger Marquinhos has returned to Brazil on loan, joining Cruzeiro until December. The 21-year-old had recently completed a year-long loan with Fluminense, which included a purchase option that was not exercised.
“Everyone at the club wishes Marquinhos success during his time with Cruzeiro and looks forward to his continued development,” Arsenal stated.
The former Sao Paulo player made 29 appearances during his stint with Fluminense, contributing two goals and two assists.
He also played a role in their Recopa Sudamericana triumph, a clash between the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana champions.
Marquinhos now returns to the Brazilian Serie A, which runs from March to December, while Cruzeiro competes in the Campeonato Mineiro from January to March.
Signed by Arsenal in the summer of 2022 for approximately £3 million, Marquinhos was highly sought after, with the club aiming to replicate the success of Gabriel Martinelli, who joined from Ituano as a teenager. Despite being described by Arsenal’s former sporting director Edu as a “player for the future,” Marquinhos has struggled to break into the first team.
He has made only a few cup appearances and one Premier League outing, substituting for Bukayo Saka in stoppage time during a 3-0 victory over Brentford in September 2022.
Since then, he has been loaned out four times, including spells at Nantes, Norwich, and most recently Fluminense.
While Marquinhos has represented Brazil at the Under-23 level, Mikel Arteta does not yet consider him ready for Arsenal’s first team, even as the squad faces challenges in attack.
The Gunners’ scoring issues were evident in their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg loss to Newcastle and the prior 1-1 draw with Brighton, which dented their Premier League title hopes.
Arsenal find ‘permanent Edu replacement’ as staff agree on perfect candidate for job
Arsenal’s search for Edu’s successor is in full swing, with interim director Jason Ayto reportedly emerging as the frontrunner.
Edu, a former Gunners midfielder, announced his departure in November to take on a role overseeing Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs, including Nottingham Forest. His unexpected exit prompted Arsenal to begin the hunt for a new sporting director.
According to the Daily Mail, Ayto has impressed many colleagues during his interim tenure. Initially groomed by Edu as a potential successor, Ayto has shown himself to be a natural fit for the position.
The former club scout, who previously worked for Norwich City, has been with Arsenal for a decade but only came into prominence after Edu’s arrival in 2019. Despite the abrupt nature of Edu’s exit, his foresight in preparing Ayto for the role appears to have eased the transition.
Other candidates reportedly in the mix include Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes, Real Sociedad’s sporting director Roberto Olabe, and Sparta Prague’s Tomas Rosicky, a former Arsenal player with 247 appearances for the club.
Dan Ashworth, recently dismissed by Manchester United, is also a contender, along with Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Campos and Brentford’s Phil Giles.
Campos, renowned for his successful transfer strategies at Monaco and Lille, is seen as an appealing option with his PSG contract set to expire in June.
Meanwhile, Ashworth boasts a wealth of experience, having held key roles at Newcastle, Brighton, and England’s FA, but his recent availability as a free agent adds to his appeal.
Despite these high-profile candidates, Arsenal may lean towards their “skills first” philosophy, which prioritizes talent and potential over experience. This approach saw Edu revamp the scouting and recruitment department and could favor Ayto’s appointment.
Though Ayto lacks the extensive experience of some rivals, his potential and adaptability suggest he could rise to prominence in the field. In a way, Edu’s vision and mentorship might have paved the way for Ayto to step into his shoes and lead Arsenal’s next chapter.
