Arsenal defender Stefan O'Connor has loan deal cut short

Stefan O'Connor has returned to London following an unsuccessful loan spell at MVV Maastricht, Goal understands.

The 20-year-old signed for the Eerste Divisie outfit on a season-long loan last July and was joined at the club by Arsenal newboy Kelechi Nwakali.

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However, it has been a case of contrasting fortunes for the Gunners duo with Nwakali playing almost every game and deemed among the league's best players, while O'Connor has made just four appearances despite showing early promise.

O'Connor recently revealed in an exclusive interview with Goal that he has aims of breaking into the first team but believes he is at a disadvantage because he plays in defence.

“We [Ainsley Maitland-Niles and O’Connor] played for the first team at the same time so obviously our careers have gone differently but I plan on getting experience here, pushing on and getting into the first team," said O'Connor.

“For attacking players it’s easier because if you’re scoring or assisting that’s your job, as a defender the manager needs to be able to trust you. For a lot of young defenders it’s hard because you’re learning making mistakes and at the top level you cannot make mistakes."

Goal understands that O'Connor, who made a Champions League appearance against Galatasaray in 2014, is one of several Arsenal youngsters set to be released at the end of the season and the club have already given him permission to begin trialling with other teams.