Joel Campbell signs new long-term deal with Arsenal

Lost in the anticipation and hullabaloo surrounding the transfer of Gabriel Paulista from Villareal to Arsenal this morning was a little note in the first paragraph of the story on the club's official site:

"Arsenal have signed Brazilian defender Gabriel from Villarreal, with Joel Campbell agreeing a new long-term deal prior to a loan move to the La Liga side."

And the club's official twitter account posted this:

.@joel_campbell12 has also signed a new @Arsenal contract before joining Villarreal on loan: http://t.co/UaYAfQVWaF pic.twitter.com/mND5Erofhw

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 28, 2015

The Costa Rican international, who's moved to Villareal on loan as part of the transfer deal with the La Liga side, has only made 10 appearances for Arsenal this season, mostly coming on as a late sub. He has not scored yet, so hopefully he can start to find his form in La Liga.

Of course, the new deal for Campbell does not necessarily mean that he's going to be a mainstay for the Gunners for the near future--if he does not stay in London, though, the deal will grant Arsenal some leverage for any future negotiations towards a more permanent move for Campbell, should things not pan out at Ashburton Grove.