Matty Longstaff wants Newcastle United January loan exit as Arsenal eye former Magpies boss

Matty, youngster brother of Sean, signed a new two-year-old contract at St James’s Park in the summer following his breakthrough into the first-team.

However, the 20-year-old has been starved of action in Steve Bruce’s team this season, with his only start coming in the 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Indeed, Longstaff has been involved in just four Premier League matchday squads in total so far, previously having a mere 29 minutes of senior football under his belt before his start at the Etihad Stadium.

And as per The Sun on Sunday, the young midfielder is keen on a temporary exit next month.

A host of Championship clubs were linked with a loan move for Longstaff recently.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez is reportedly first choice to take over at Arsenal, if they decide to part with Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard is currently in charge of Chinese Super League side Dalian Pro, the club he joined after leaving Newcastle in the summer of 2019.

Benitez has expressed his desire to manage in England again, and according to the Sunday Mirror, the Gunners are keen to provide him with that opportunity.

The Emirates hierarchy are said to be big admirers of the 60-year-old, who has won trophies at Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli.

Arteta, however, may have bought himself extra time following his side’s surprise 3-1 victory against Chelsea yesterday.

The victory ended a seven-match winless streak for Arsenal, who sit 15th in the top-flight table, six points above the bottom three.