Arsenal loanee makes first start in almost 3 months | OneFootball

Arsenal loanee Marquinhos made his first start for Cruzeiro in almost three months this week, but the signs suggest the winger is still a rotation player for his current team.

Photo via Marquinhos on Instagram

Before this week, Arsenal loanee Marquinhos hadn’t made any starts for loan club Cruzeiro since February 12th, when he appeared in the starting lineup for a Campeonato Mineiro group game against Democrata GV.

Marquinhos dropped to the bench for the subsequent semi-final tie against America-MG, then had a month break before the Brazilian Serie A kicked off in late March.

But even when Cruzeiro returned to action, Marquinhos remained on the bench. In their first six league games of the new campaign he’s made zero starts, and four substitute appearances totalling 37 minutes on the pitch.

Photos via @pedrovalefoto and @yurilaurindofoto on Instagram

The 22-year-old has also been a fringe player in the early stages of the Copa Sudamericana, only making one cameo appearance from the bench in three games.

This week’s Copa do Brasil game broke the trend, with Marquinhos starting and playing the full 90 minutes of a 2-0 win over Vila Nova FC.

In one game, the Arsenal loanee surpassed his combined minutes from every other fixture he’s played in since February 16th.

Photos via @pedrovalefoto and @yurilaurindofoto on Instagram

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to say with any confidence that a cup start is a sign of anything more than Marquinhos remaining a rotation player for Cruzeiro.

A league start in a win would be more meaningful, but the early rounds of Brazilian cup competitions are often viewed as opportunities to rest starters, just as in England.

Marquinhos will have to hope that the positive result for his team puts him in contention for future chances in the league.