Ceballos: “My goal is to return to Madrid”

The Spanish international will not be returning to the Emirates when his current deal expires.

Dani Ceballos has revealed that he has no plans to stay at Arsenal once the current campaign ends.

The midfielder is currently on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and has made 37 appearances since joining the Gunners.

Ceballos returned to his parent club, however only briefly as he agreed to return to the Emirates for another season on loan and has been a key part of Mikel Arteta’s side.

With Ceballos currently on his second season on loan at Arsenal, he does not envisage extending his stay at the Emirates for a third stint as he still has plans to become a key member of Zinedine Zidane’s side.

Ceballos told Cedena SER:

“A third year on loan? No, my goal is to return to Real Madrid and be important at the best club in the world,”

“I believe that one day I will come back and be able to return the affection that the fans showed me.

“For various reasons, I didn’t leave the club in the best manner.”

Ceballos did say that he is well suited to the way Mikel Arteta has set up his team to play.

“Mikel is a coach who suits me like a glove because he played in the same position as me. He wants us to play forward when we steal [the ball],” he added.

“The Premier League is a bit below at a tactical level but it is more physical. The position of a number eight is the one that suits me best.”

Ceballos and his Arsenal side will return to action in the FA Cup against Newcastle on Sunday before hosting Crystal Palace in the Premier League.