Arsenal loanee Mavididi ready for Preston debut at Accrington

The 19-year-old front man signed for PNE on Friday night, moving from Arsenal on a season's loan.

He was not eligible to play in Saturday's win over Sheffield Wednesday but is clear to play in the game at the Crown Ground.

Mavididi is excited to have made the move to North End, this the latest step in his development after a loan spell in league One with Charlton Athletic earlier this year.

The Gunners rate him highly, with him regularly training with their first-team. He was on their bench for a couple of EFL Cup games last season.

After the loan move to Deepdale was mooted a fortnight ago, things gathered pace last week.

Mavididid said: "I found out about the interest about two weeks ago, then once I sat down with the manager and chief executive everything moved quickly.

"Even I was surprised how quickly things moved and I was buzzing at the speed of things.

"I first met everyone at training in Sunday morning, got a warm welcome and had a good training session.

"We trained again on Monday and there's the game tonight, I can't wait to get the shirt and start playing.

"I'm a young lad and haven't really been away from home too much.

"This move can only help me grow up on the pitch as well as off it - you have to look after yourself on and off the pitch."

Mavididi watched the win against Sheffield Wednesday from the director's box and first impressions were good.

In fact, it lived up to what North End manager Alex Neil had talked about when the pair discussed the move.

"Alex Neil sold me the club quite well, he said there was a group of young hungry lads and I could only fit in here," said Mavididi.

"He said it is a big club with a big history.

"When I went to to the stadium for the first time I was speechless, it was such a nice stadium - I can't wait to get out there.

"Saturday's game was a very good win, we deserved it."

By his own admission, Mavididi is still trying to find his best position but he is happy anywhere across the front line.

For North End, he is an option wide on the left or playing more centrally.

Mavididi said: "I'm still finding out my best position, I like to play outside left or as a nine. As long as I'm on the pitch I'm happy.

"At Arsenal I played on the left and up front or even behind the striker.

"It is good for young players to play in more than one position because it helps their game.

"I joined Arsenal when I was 12, so I have been there for six or seven years now.

"Before that I played for Southend United and Arsenal had to pay a small fee to get me from Southend.

"I used to train with the Arsenal first-team pretty much every week, I've been on the bench a few times.

"That has helped me a lot, training with them and being around top players."