Joel Campbell is hopeful of returning to Arsenal after his loan spell with Villarreal is over at the end of the season.

The Costa Rican, who signed a new deal with the club before being shipped off on loan as part of the deal that saw Gabriel come the other way, told his own website that he was given assurances by the club before he left.

“After the Gold Cup, I will return to Arsenal, that’s what I understood. Before going to Villarreal I signed for a few more years there, it’s something really important for my career.

“I hope to continue growing as a footballer, and becoming every more secure in European football.”

It’s really hard to see how he does have a future at the club.

While he was with Arsenal during the first half of the season, Arsene Wenger showed a real reluctance to use him in any meaningful way and after experiencing regular playing time with the Spanish side, as well as during his time in Greece with Olympiacos, he will not be happy with less than a bit-part role.

A number of Premier League clubs are said to be interested in signing him on a permament deal and there have even been rumours that Arsenal will use him to sweeten the deal with Sporting Lisbon as they try to land William Carvalho although we’re very sceptical about this rumour.