Gunners duo join the new look U's.
He said: "A six game spell with Millwall in the 2010/11 season was followed by a longer time away from his home club, with Wycombe Wanderers last season - playing 14 times for the Chairboys.
Making his debut in October 2009, he has gone on to play for the Arsenal first team on a number of occasions, but has also enjoyed successful loan spells away from the Emirates Stadium.
Craig has been at Arsenal since he was eleven years old and helped the Gunners win the FA Youth Cup in 2009.
Gunners duo Craig Eastmond and Sanchez Watt followed Jabo Ibehre in being part of Joe Dunne's new look U's side, with the pair also signing three month loan deals on Thursday.
A landmark day at Colchester United has continued on Thursday afternoon, with the arrival of two players on loan from Premier League side Arsenal. "I like to meet new teammates and I've done that here but I already knew Clinton Morrison very well and I’ve played against Freddie Sears and a few others.
"I just want to play games so I said yes to it and I’m looking forward to the new challenge.
The first thing I heard about the move was through my agent and he said Colchester United were one of a few clubs interested.
"I want to play as much as I can in the next few months and show the manager here and Arsenal what I can do. Hopefully, I’ll gain some good experience from my time here."
Watt, meanwhile, is another young Gunner who has had productive spells on loan during the early years of his career.
He joined Eastmond in that cup winning side of 2009, and has subsequently been out to Southend United, Leeds United (three times), Sheffield Wednesday and Crawley Town, helping the Sussex side to promotion from League Two.
He also has international honours, representing England all the way up to U19s level.
He told the official website: "It felt good to be training here and the lads made me feel relaxed and welcome.
"It looks like the manager plays the same formation as I’m used to so it should be good for me.
"I want to fight for my position in the team, keep my place if I get it and do well for the club and for myself. Hopefully, we can play well, pass the ball around, score some goals and push up the table."
And the winger harbours ambitions of getting back into the Arsenal side.
"It looks like the manager plays the same formation as I’m used to so it should be good for me.
"I want to fight for my position in the team, keep my place if I get it and do well for the club and for myself. Hopefully, we can play well, pass the ball around, score some goals and push up the table."
And the winger harbours ambitions of getting back into the Arsenal side.
"Its all about what you do on the pitch, when you're doing well, you get your chance but after that, what happens, happens."