German side FC Nurnberg have signed Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos on loan until the end of the season, FutballNews understands.
Mavropanos has just made eight first team appearances for the Gunners since signing from PAS Giannina in January 2018, with just one coming this season in the 2-2 draw with Standard Liege in the Europa League. The 22-year-old has also struggled to break into the Gunners’ first-team due to injuries and competition.
It is understood that the centre-back is the sixth choice under new boss Mikel Arteta who has said he is considering signing a defender in the January window after centre-back Calum Chambers was ruled out for up to nine months with a knee injury.
The Greek defender will now look to earn more game-time at Nurnberg, who sit 16th in the second tier of the Bundesliga after it was revealed the club had initially made a move for the Greece Under-21 international in the summer.
Arsenal on their website said: “Everyone at Arsenal wishes Dinos all the best for his time with FC Nuremberg.”
Also, the German club’s sporting director Rober Palikuca told the club’s official website that: “Konstantinos is a robust central defender and is strong in headers.
“We had already aimed for a loan in the summer but due to the rehab after his injury, it would not have made sense six months ago.
“We would like to expressly thank FC Arsenal for the good exchange and the trust that the club has placed in us.”
Mavropanos follows Emile Smith Rowe – who moved to Huddersfield over the weekend – in leaving the Emirates Stadium on loan during the current window, with Eddie Nketiah also expected to depart in the coming days.
The England Under-21s striker spent the first half of the season on loan at Leeds before being recalled and the striker is the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City.
