Arsenal send Kelechi Nwakali on season-long loan to MVV Maastricht

Arsenal have allowed new signing Kelechi Nwakali to leave on loan to Dutch second division side MVV Maastricht. He follows Jack Wilshere out on loan who also made his way to Bournemouth on deadline day in a bid to secure more game time.

Arsena signed Nwakali from the Diamond Academy in Nigeria earlier in the window but were unable to get a work permit for him and he joins another summer signing Takuma Asano on his way out of the club. The Gunners have made six signings in the window in the form of Nwakali, Asano, Rob Holding, Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez but did not bring anyone in during deadline day.

"Kelechi is a multifunctional attacking midfielder with scoring ability and a nose for the final pass. He has made the transfer after joining the Arsenal U23 and is a promising player. His addition to the Arsenal squad is valuable but Arsenal will find that it is now time for him to develop through at senior level," Coach Ron Elsen told MVV Maastricht's official website.

"This is possible by giving him more playing time in a competition and in a competition where it really matters. It is obvious to him that he played and was awarded the Golden Ball in a key role for his country at the World Championships U17, Chile, as captain last year. Jupiler League we know the Golden Bull. That's what he has to focus on from now on. At MVV Maastricht we will have to show Kelechi what he does and why he is included in the training setup at Arsenal. "

The Gunners will resume their campaign in the Premier League against Southampton after the international break with both Mustafi and Perez expected to feature. The north London club have four points from their opening three games.