Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has spoken about his departure from Arsenal.

The midfielder departed from the Gunners in 2016 for the Magpies, hoping to get more first team football.

And now that he is set to face his old club, Hayden spoke about his decision to quit the club where he came through the academy.

Asked if he regretted the decision to leave, the 24-year-old said to reporters: "No, not really.

"The way I see it in football is that when you're a young player coming through the youth Academy system at any club, it's all about your window of opportunity.

"You look at Sean Longstaff here, players got injured, he came in and took his opportunity and he showed what he's capable of doing.

"He's performed well on the Premier League stage consistently.

"It was similar circumstances for me, but I was the other way round.

"I got an opportunity and I got injured and was out for 10 months and the opportunity had gone.

"I don't really dwell on it or think about it - that's football.

"It's part of your football journey.

"It wasn't meant to be and I've come to another great football club and that's that."