Dani Ceballos joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal and the midfielder was successful in creating an instant impact in his full debut for the Gunners.
The Spain international registered two assists against Burnley in August and that’s been his only contribution with regards to goals and assists in the Premier League.
He continued to feature regularly before suffering an injury in November.
While the 23-year-old was recovering, the club sacked Unai Emery and appointed Mikel Arteta as his successor, and the midfielder has spoken about the changes and his season so far with the Gunners.
“The year started with great enthusiasm, a new challenge, in a great club like Arsenal, with Emery, who gave me a lot of confidence,” Ceballos told Canal Sur Radio, as reported by AS.
“But in November, after playing every game, an untimely injury came. The first I have had as a professional, and it was quite serious. I was away for almost three months. Then when I had the opportunity, I made clear my intentions to succeed at Arsenal.”
“Just before the suspension, I was at a good level. With Mikel, he has a philosophy similar to that of City. I felt very comfortable, playing at a great level,” he explained.
“But of course, my best level is yet to come, everyone says that the player matures from 23 or 24 years old. It seems that Xavi and Iniesta gave their best performance at that age. So, from now on it is a good time to say that here is the Dani Ceballos that everyone wants to see.”
Arsenal took Ceballos on a dry loan deal and they will have to negotiate a deal with Zinedine Zidane’s side if they wish to make his transfer permanent.
When asked about his future plans, the former Real Betis man sat on the fence a little.
“When there’s a European championship and Olympic Games [in 2021], you have to find a club where you feel important,” the Arsenal midfielder stressed.
“But the future is now far away. We haven’t played for over two months. With uncertainty weeks ago, not even the best fortune tellers know can predict what will happen in a month and a half.”
Ceballos spent six years at Betis before moving to Real Madrid in 2017. When asked if he wants to return to the Seville based club, he said: “I will not deny that my team is Betis.”
“It is the club that I love. The one [club] that has made me grow as a footballer and professionally. The feeling I have towards that club is different from all those in which I’ve been.”
