Arsenal complete Ceballos loan move from Real Madrid

Arsenal have partially, and temporarily, filled the void left by Aaron Ramsey's departure in the form of Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos.

The Gunners confirmed Ceballos' switch from Real Madrid on Thursday, with the midfielder joining Arsenal on a season-long loan deal. Neither club's statement revealed the inclusion of an option to buy at the end of the season.

"We're excited to see Dani join us. He is a talented player with big technical ability, creativity and precision," Arsenal manager Unai Emery said.

The 22-year-old moves to London on the heels of a stellar showing for Spain at the European Under-21 Championship. Ceballos paired two goals with two assists for the tournament-winning Spaniards and made the Team of the Tournament for the second successive competition.

While Ceballos doesn't precisely fit Ramsey's box-to-box profile, he does helm a central midfield role efficiently in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ceballos is noted for his talents in progressing the ball from midfield positions into attacking ones, and his 3.4 successful dribbles a match last season tower above returns from Arsenal midfielders Matteo Guendouzi (1.94), Lucas Torreira (1.72), and Granit Xhaka (0.88).

"He played very well in the Under-21s, his national team won the competition. He can play as a No. 8 or a No. 10," Gunners boss Unai Emery said when probed about a potential move for Ceballos, according to the Evening Standard's Joe Krishnan.

Ceballos is one of three Arsenal signings so far this summer. Brazilian teen Gabriel Martinelli moved to the Emirates earlier in the transfer window, while central defender William Saliba's switch to north London was also confirmed on Thursday. The teenager will spend the 2019-20 campaign back on loan with Saint-Etienne before joining the Gunners next year.