Interview

‘There was never any doubt about coming back’

Dani Ceballos had plenty of options for this season - but there was “never any doubt” that he wanted to return to Arsenal.

The Spain international joined us on Saturday for another season-long loan, and says he can’t wait to get started all over again.

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“I’m very pleased to be back with Arsenal - I’m very happy to have come back to a club where I feel important,” Ceballos told Arsenal Digital.

“It’s true that I had other options, such as staying at Real Madrid and going back to the Spanish league, where there were teams interested in me. 

“I spoke to the coach last year, before the [Emirates FA Cup] final, and told him that I wanted to stay at Arsenal and win titles. I’d been really happy with what Mikel had built at the club since he came in. I had a great time at this club last season and there was never any doubt in my mind that I wanted to come back.

“I think everybody can see what Arteta is doing at the club. He’s only been here for eight months. There were three competitions we could fight for. We got knocked out of the Europa League, unfairly in my view, 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 real positive energy in the dressing room, the players are happy and everyone is doing their bit. We’re bringing through young players, which I think is really important for this club, because it’s something that’s always been done here. 

“Mikel is the right person to get this club back to where it deserves to be, which I believe is in the Champions League, competing against the best teams in Europe.”