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Dani Ceballos said there was “never any doubt” that he wanted to return to Arsenal after a conversation with Mikel Arteta before the FA Cup final.
Ceballos will spend a second consecutive season with the Gunners after Real Madrid sanctioned another one-season loan deal in north London.
And the midfielder has explained why he rejected the possibility of staying in Madrid, also rejecting the interest of Real Betis.
“I am very happy to be back with Arsenal, I am very happy to have returned to a club where I feel important,” Ceballos told Arsenal’s official website.
“It is true that I had other options, such as staying at Real Madrid and returning to the Spanish league, where there were teams interested in me.”
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
The 24-year-old revealed that he made his intentions clear to Gunners boss Arteta before the FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea last month.
With Arsenal having raised the Shield of Charity and the FA Cup with Artete, Ceballos believes the manager is the right man to lead the club to more titles and back to the Champions League.
“I spoke to the coach before the final and told him that I wanted to stay at Arsenal and win titles,” he said.
“I was very happy with what Mikel had built at the club since he arrived. I had a great time at this club last season and I never had any doubt that I wanted to come back.
“I think everyone can see what Arteta is doing at the club. She’s only been here eight months.
“There were three competitions we could fight for. We were eliminated from the Europa League, unfairly in my opinion, but then we won the FA Cup and the Community Shield, which were well deserved titles.
“More than that though, it’s about what he’s created here: there’s a really positive energy in the dressing room, the players are happy and everyone is doing their part.
(Image: Andy Hooper NMC Pool)
“We are bringing in young players, which I think is very important for this club, because it is something that has always been done here.
“Mikel is the right person to take this club to where it deserves to be, which I think is in the Champions League, competing against the best teams in Europe.”
Ceballos also explained how Arteta, his teammates and the Arsenal fans made him feel loved at Emirates.
“I think everyone will have seen last season that from the moment I joined, I bought the club completely and I always gave 100 percent both on and off the pitch,” he said.
Will Dani Ceballos help Arsenal get back into the top four? Give your opinion here
(Image: Matt West / BPI / REX / Shutterstock)
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“The fans made up for it by showing me a lot of love… when I was at home they would send me messages asking me to come back and saying that they needed me here.
“I think they will be as happy as I am to be back and I am sure we have a great year ahead of us this season.
“When the coach, the club, the players and everyone ask you to stay one more year, you realize that they see you as a good teammate and a good player,” he added.
“I am proud that the club, the manager and, most importantly, the fans wanted me to stay. I didn’t hesitate for a second.
“We have been negotiating my contract all the time, until today, but I am very happy to be back here and to be with Arsenal for another year.”
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