Lorient coach Christian Gourcuff has hailed the ability of Arsenal forward Joel Campbell, proclaiming that the Gunners would not have loaned him out had he gained a work permit.
The Costa Rican striker has made five appearances for the French outfit so far this season and recently scored his first goal against Valenciennes.
However, Gourcuff is resigned to losing Campbell when his season-long loan term expires, given that he would be likely to qualify for a work permit at the end of the campaign.
He told Goal.com: "It would be wonderful [if he could rejoin on loan], but I doubt it. We don’t have a privileged relations with Arsenal, as opposed to what everyone thinks. Just affinities on the level of the management of our clubs which we have in common.
"They released him because he did not have his work permit in England. Otherwise, they would have kept him.
"Anyway, I think they do not see such a dim view of the fact that he will progress with us. They have their interests and we have ours."
Gourcuff has been impressed with Campbell's start to life in France, and is tipping the Gunners youngster to have an exciting future.
He said: "He made a promising beginning. He was quickly integrated, he made good entries.
"He was very interesting, not only because he scored, but also because he was put at the service of the collective.
"He is a very promising young player, promised with a very great future."
Despite a good start, the French boss is still convinced that the young striker can improve further with experience.
He continued: "How can he still progress? He's just come to Europe, it is normal that he still has progress to make. But, I don't have a concern about him. He is a boy who is listening to the others.
"He is rigorous and he is disciplined. He can still progress on the level of the choices which he could make on the pitch, so that they are more relevant, but with the experience it will come."
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