Ceballos opens up on decision to turn down Real for Arsenal

Dani Ceballos admits there was never any doubt in his mind about desiring to return to Arsenal despite Real Madrid’s offer to say.

Ceballos emerged as one of Arsenal’s key players since the resumption of football after the coronavirus outbreak.

The 24-year-old playmaker helped his side lift the FA Cup trophy and secure Europa League promotion and was integral to Mikel Arteta’s tactical set-up.

Although Zinedine Zidane tested everyone’s nerves by delaying his final decision on Ceballos’s future, the Spaniard has eventually returned to the Emirates.

He officially rejoined Arsenal on another season-long loan yesterday.

Obviously delighted to be reunited with the Gunners, the former Real Betis man explained that he’s always preferred a return to England over staying at La Liga.

“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 the club’s official website.

“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.

“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.”