Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits he was disappointed that Hector Bellerin left on loan to Real Betis.
The right-back has long sought a move away from the club, despite being its longest serving current first team star.
Bellerin is now back in Spain, while Arteta spoke about the defender during a pre-match press conference ahead of their game against Norwich City at the weekend.
Arteta said: "It's been a long time. It's been a really important part of everything that's happened at the club in the last 10 years.
"He's an exceptional player, an incredible person and he will be missed. To find someone like Hector is not easy, he's been raised here with us and is loved by everybody at the football club.
"I had to say goodbye with sadness but at the same time I had to understand his position. He needed a new challenge, he's needed a new challenge for a while now. After discussions for a long time we decided to let him go because it was the right thing for him as well."
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