Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledges that it was a "difficult decision" to sell Joe Willock to Newcastle United.
The attacking midfielder enjoyed an outstanding loan spell with the Magpies during the second half of last season.
He was then sold permanently to Newcastle by Arsenal, where he is a first team regular.
The two teams go head to head at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League.
"I think it will be really nice to have him [back], we all love and like Joe," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
"Obviously it was a difficult decision to make to let him go, but I think he's shown that's what he needs as well to play the minutes that he's finding there and find a new challenge.
"Yes {I've spoken to him] - not this week, but I have done it before and he knows the reception he's going to get."
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