Arsenal teenager Dan Crowley sees loan spell at Barnsley cut short after struggling to make an impact at Oakwell

Dan Crowley will return to Arsenal early from Barnsley after the youngster failed to impress during a loan spell.

The 18-year-old, who captained the Gunners FA Youth Cup team last season and established himself as a mainstay of Arsenal's Under 21 team, was meant to be on loan at Oakwell until January.

However, despite making 13 appearances in all competitions since joining, the Barnsley coaching set-up felt Crowley was struggling to make an impact at the club, and have sent him back to Arsenal.

Dan Crowley will return to Arsenal early after failing to make an impact on loan at Barnsley

Dan Crowley will return to Arsenal early after failing to make an impact on loan at Barnsley

The 18-year-old was an established member of Arsenal's youth sides last season

The 18-year-old was an established member of Arsenal's youth sides last season

Barnsley had high hopes for the arrival of Crowley in late July, with boss Lee Johnson telling the club's official website at the time: '[Dan] is an exceptional and exciting talent who is very highly thought of at Arsenal and we are extremely pleased that we have been entrusted with his further development.'


Instead, it's a disappointing end to a month for Crowley that had begun with his first call-up to the England Under 19 side, winning two caps in the process.

It will also come as a blow to Arsene Wenger after a chastening night for several other Arsenal youngsters on Tuesday, as they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Sheffield Wednesday.

Glen Kamara, Alex Iwobi and Ismael Bennacer were among those making their debuts in the 3-0 defeat, but Wenger admitted after the match that it was too soon for them to be playing. 

'The occasion was too much for the young players,' said Wenger. 'They were not ready to play at this level, none of them.

'Two of the goals were from set-pieces. We were very naive. We had a lot of the ball but we didn't make a lot. We were too short in midfield.'

Ismael Bennacer, who is just 17,  made his debut in the defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday

Ismael Bennacer, who is just 17, made his debut in the defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday

Arsenal midfielder Glen Kamara (left) also made the step up to the first team for the first time

Arsenal's Glen Kamara (left) is tackled by Sam Hutchinson during their Capital One Cup defeat

Arsenal manager Wenger handed a debut to Alex Iwobi against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough

Arsenal manager Wenger also handed a debut to Alex Iwobi against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough

Wenger was damning in his verdict of debutants Kamara, Iwobi and Bennacer

Wenger was damning in his verdict of debutants Kamara, Iwobi and Bennacer