Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has revealed that he struggled with being away from his family during his loan spell with Arsenal.
The 24-year-old was signed on a one-year loan deal by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery in the summer of 2019, enjoying an extremely impressive debut, assisting both goals during a 2-1 home win over Burnley.
However, the Spaniard subsequently flattered to deceive, failing to register a single assist in the following 32 games for the Gunners as he regularly struggled to impose himself in the Premier League.
His loan deal with the club was extended last summer by Mikel Arteta after enjoying some promising form in the latter stages of the 2019/20 season, but he endured a torrid second campaign at the Emirates as he found himself low down the midfield pecking order.
The north London side decided against trying to make the move a permanent one and Ceballos admitted his time in England was made much harder by the fact he didn’t have his family with him in London.
“I’m starting with the worst… The remoteness and how difficult it is to enjoy your family on a day-to-day basis, something that is very important to me,” he told Spanish newspaper AS.
“The best is the football that is breathed in England. The stadiums are full, the fans respect you. Matches are played every few days and the stands are always full, when you could go to the fields, of course. That is essential for someone who likes soccer.”
Despite struggling for consistent minutes during his time at Arsenal, Ceballos feels that he improved as a player and didn’t rule out a return to the English top flight.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
By signing up to our newsletter here, you’ll be kept up to date on the latest news and rumours as they break, all in one place. You’ll also receive exclusive insight and articles from club writers Chris Wheatley and Kaya Kaynak, all for free.
We also want to hear from you. Create an account here in just a few moments, so you can have your say on all things Arsenal, join the debate and take part in exclusive Q&As as well.
“On a personal and football level, I would say that I am a much more complete player, with more character,” he added. “I have had the opportunity to experience a different league and that has given me many more records when it comes to watching football.
“Yes, I do not rule it [returning to the Premier League] out. It’s a league that I like, people who really like football would be motivated to play it. If you don’t get to play there you can get stuck.”