Arsenal winger Marquinhos has joined Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro on loan for the remainder of the season, the Gunners have confirmed.
The 21-year-old had only just returned from a temporary spell with Fluminense during the 2024 Brasileiro season, where he registered two goals and two assists in 29 matches across all competitions.
However, rather than re-integrate Marquinhos into his first-team squad, Mikel Arteta has sanctioned another loan exit for the winger, his fourth since joining the Gunners in a £3m deal from Sao Paulo in 2022.
On Thursday afternoon, Arsenal announced that Marquinhos had been swiftly sent back to his homeland with Cruzeiro, where he will remain until the conclusion of the Brasileiro season in December.
"Everyone at the club wishes Marquinhos all the best for his loan spell with Cruzeiro and look forward to seeing his continued development," the Gunners said in a statement.
Marquinhos has only made six appearances for Arsenal since joining Arteta's side two-and-a-half years ago, scoring one goal and setting up another against FC Zurich in the Europa League in September 2022.
The former Sao Paulo youngster - who has also spent time on loan at Nantes and Norwich City - becomes the Gunners' second exit of the January window after Josh Robinson sealed a permanent move to Wigan Athletic.
Could any other Arsenal players leave this month?
© Imago
Even with Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri sidelined, there is still no way back for Marquinhos in the Arsenal first team, and the Brazilian's prospects of reigniting his Emirates career under Arteta appear slim.
Marquinhos and Robinson could be joined out of the door by a couple more unwanted players before the end of the window, including Kieran Tierney, who has now entered the last six months of his contract.
The Scotland international is expected to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, but he has been linked with a permanent return to Celtic this month, rumours that Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers has refused to comment on.
However, even if Tierney does not leave for good in January, the left-back could be allowed to depart on loan in order to increase his opportunities for playing time before an emotional farewell this summer.
Thomas Partey is also in the last six months of his agreement, but the Ghana international remains vital to Arteta's system and is not expected to leave this month unless a significant offer comes in.
Ben Knapton
