Arsenal academy duo secure deadline-day loan exits

Twenty-year-old defender Monlouis has progressed through the Hale End system since signing up in 2012 and has been a regular for the Under-21s this term, playing 14 times in all competitions and captaining the team in 12 of them.

The former England Under-17 international is still waiting for his first taste of senior football with Arsenal, though, having been bedevilled by injuries during the early stages of his career.

The switch to League One crisis club Reading marks Monlouis's maiden senior loan move away from the Emirates, and he will be joined in League One by another 20-year-old in Edwards.

The Englishman caught the eye of Chelsea in 2022 before signing a professional deal with the Gunners, and he has also turned out 14 times for the Under-21s this term, banking nine goals and two assists.

As is the case with Monlouis, Edwards is also yet to make his senior debut for Mikel Arteta's side, although he was on the bench for a pair of Europa League group-stage fixtures with Bodo/Glimt and PSV Eindhoven last season.

"I'm really excited to be joining Leyton Orient. I know that the club were promoted last season and have had a good first half to this season," Edwards told the official Leyton Orient website.

"I'm really excited about making the step up to senior football and I have really enjoyed the chances that I have got in the EFL Trophy this season. I hope that I can come in, get my chance and help the club to have a strong second half of the season by scoring some goals."

Edwards and Monlouis's temporary exits concluded a busy day of activity academy for Arsenal, who were extremely quiet on the first-team transfer front but saw a plethora of youngsters head elsewhere on loan or permanently in the winter window.

Earlier in the day, 19-year-old left-back Lino Sousa left the club to join Aston Villa in a permanent deal, although he will spend the rest of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle, while Miguel Azeez made the switch to Spanish third-tier side Atletico Baleares.

Midfielder Bradley Ibrahim also ended his association with the Gunners to join 2. Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin, and Charles Sagoe Jr - who made his debut against Brentford in the EFL Cup in September - has linked up with Charlie Patino on loan at Swansea City.

There was one notable senior outgoing from the Emirates, though, as Icelandic goalkeeper Alex Runarsson left the club by mutual consent before completing a transfer to Danish champions Copenhagen.