Pennant himself has asked to be able to stay there, clearly understanding that if he did come back to Highbury he'd be used as cover at best.

There had been speculation that Arsenal would want him back because of impending suspensions. But we are unlikely to be seriously short in his position, given that Parlour Ljungberg Pires Wiltord and Bergkamp are all more than capable. If any on-loan players need to be recalled, it may be Moritz Volz who comes back from Fulham in order to cover for Lauren at right-back.

But Pennant may find that he doesn't get so many games in this month after all. He wasn't allowed to play in Leeds' last League Cup match, so it's surely safe to assume that the same will apply to their 3rd round tie at home to Man Utd. And it seems likely that he'll also be prevented from playing against Arsenal on November 1st.

Another on-loan player Francis Jeffers has been saying once again that his heart is at Everton, and that he feels he has "come home". Jeffers is still officially an Aresnal player, but he clearly appreciates as well as anyone that he's played his last game for us. This weekend he started his first game for the Toffees since he went back up there.