Loanees-Gilbert and Ogogo impress, has Barazite played his last game for Derby?

Three Arsenal loanees were in action this afternoon- at various levels of the Football League spectrum. Follow Nacer Barazite’s progress in the Championship with Derby, Kerrea Gilbert’s exploits with Leicester in League One and Abu Ogogo’s excursions in League Two with struggling Barnet.

Nacer Barazite- Derby 0 Ipswich 1

With his loan spell at Pride Park due to expire on New Years Eve, Nacer was given the chance to impress Paul Jewell enough to earn him an extension after he was handed a start on the right-wing for Derby against Ipswich.

If Nacer was under any illusions as to how physical the game was going to be, he was soon brought back down to earth after being the victim of a crunching challenge from Tommy Miller just two minutes in. On the attacking front, Nacer was a real live-wire early on creating several decent chances from crosses but to no avail.

It was Ipswich who would take the lead, however, after Jonathan Walters finished accurately for the Tractor Boys from close range.

Charged with taking the majority of the Rams set-pieces, including free-kicks, Nacer set to work on trying to force an equaliser but it wouldn’t come despite the constant quality of his deliveries. After being on the recieving end of yet more strong challenges, Nacer turned provider for Robert Hulse with a pinpoint cross in the 36th minute. Hulse connected but directed his header over the bar. Nacer then went for goal himself just before the interval but was denied by ex-Gunner Richard Wright.

Nacer had further opportunities to grab an equaliser in the second period but was thwarted by Wright time and time again. On one occasion the Dutchman was left with his head in his hands after failing to divert Kris Commons’ cross on target. To make matters worse for the Rams, Jordan Stewart was sent off for a second bookable offence with 14 minutes to go and this seemed to put the game out of Derby’s reach.

Ten-men Derby battled on but didn’t have enough firepower to force an equaliser. Barazite can be relatively pleased with his performance, although it remains to be seen if his stay with the Rams will be extended until the end of the season.

Kerrea Gilbert- Leicester 2 Hereford 1

Kerrea maintained his place in the Leicester side and reverted to his preferred right-back role for the visit of Hereford to the Walkers Stadium. The Foxes dominated the first period, creating chances galore, but in the end they only had a solitary strike to show for it. That came after just 8 minutes when Steven Howard hit the back of the net with a no-nonsense finish.

Andy King doubled Leicester’s advantage in the second period and it looked as if it was game over. However, Hereford responded thanks to a Karl Broadhurst header to set up an exciting climax to an otherwise one-sided game. Despite a late onslaught Leicester held on to remain top of League One, with Gilbert getting another 90 minutes under his belt and a satisfactory performance to boot.

Abu Ogogo- Bournemouth 0 Barnet 2

The last game of the Paul Fairclough era saw Abu handed a start in midfield. Fairclough announced yesterday that he will be stepping down after today’s match following a poor run of results which left the Bees languishing towards the bottom end of the table.

In a closely-fought encounter, Ogogo was equally adept both going forward and defensively. He proved this when, a matter of moments after making a vital block at one end, he was bursting down the wing creating an attacking opportunity.

Bournem0uth were gradually easing themselves into the game but it was Barnet who would take the lead against the run of play when Albert Adomah scored a spectacular strike after being teed up by John O’Flynn.

Abu continued his impressive performance after the goal, embarking on several marauding runs and proving a real handful for the Cherries defenders. One incident in the second half saw Abu lucky not to go into the book for a late challenge on Arsenal Academy product Ryan Garry, who had terrible luck with injuries during his time with the Gunners before leaving in the summer of 2007.

Adomah struck his second of the game with 21 minutes to go as Barnet pushed towards an unlikely victory.

Ogogo played the whole game and can be very happy with his performance although he can be accused of getting stuck in a little too much at times.

Armand Traore was inelligible for Portsmouth’s visit to the Emirates today because of the terms of his loan agreement with Arsenal.