Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu have outlined the reasons why the club agreed to loan Joe Willock to Newcastle United.
The promising midfielder agreed a deadline-day switch to the Magpies until the end of the season, and the 21-year-old admits he 'can't wait to get started' in black-and-white.
Willock has made 77 appearances for Arsenal since making his first-team debut in September 2017, and has impressed in the Gunners current Europa League campaign.
However, the England youth international has struggled for minutes in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce has praised the deal for the 'very exciting and talented' youngster who he is confident will add goals to the Magpies midfield.
Arteta stressed the Gunners are pleased with Willock's development, and believes the 21-year-old will beneift from regular first-team football.
He told the club's website: “Joe is a young player with great ability who is progressing very well and we are happy with his continued development.
“At this moment in his career, Joe needs to be playing regularly. At Newcastle United, he is going to a very good club with a top quality manager and staff.
“We all wish Joe the very best at Newcastle until the end of the season.”
This was a viewpoint echoed by Arsenal's technical director Edu, who insists Willock remains an 'important member' of the the Gunners squad.
He added: “Joe is a talented young player and an important member of our first-team squad.
“This can be seen in the number of appearances he has made for us in recent seasons.
"At this stage of his career, we have decided together with Joe, that it will benefit his development greatly to enjoy a loan period playing regular first-team football.
“We thank our counterparts at Newcastle United for their collaboration and we wish Joe all the best with his loan move.”
