Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos has revealed he rejected Real Madrid’s requests for him to stay to return to the Emirates this summer.
Ceballos spent last season on loan with Arsenal in what proved to be a mixed campaign, with injuries and Arsenal’s early problems under Unai Emery meaning he struggled to hit top form.
That changed with the arrival of Mikel Arteta, though, with the Spaniard making his compatriot a key part of his team and reaping the rewards.
Both parties were keen to renew the loan when it came to an end this summer, or, ideally, turn it into a permanent move.
That has been repeatedly rubbished, with it being reported as recently as today that Zidane just didn’t see a place for the player, whereas Madrid do in the long term.
Eventually, a second loan deal was agreed, and Ceballos says that was down to him making his wishes clear.
“I spoke with Madrid to say that Arteta wanted me to come back,” Marca report him saying at a press conference today.
“They asked me to wait, but I was clear that I wanted to return to my club, where I had found myself very well.
“You sit down to appreciate that the Euros and Olympic Games are coming and you know that you have to play an important role in my team.
“With Mikel, I found happiness as a player and as a person. And that is key for a player. “
