Dani Ceballos reveals Unai Emery convinced him to join Arsenal on loan

Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has revealed that Arsenal manager Unai Emery has played a key part in luring him to the north London side this summer. The Spain international had found himself at the midst of a battle between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for his signature but ultimately, he decided to join the Gunners on loan after receiving assurances of regular gametime under Emery.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “I knew I had the confidence of the coach, which was very important for me from the start. I was aware of the responsibility that wearing this shirt entails and it was a tremendously proud moment when I decided to join Arsenal. The coach was the turning point in terms of me joining this massive club. He’s a Spanish coach and he knows me from my time at other clubs. I’m really happy to be able to help Arsenal achieve our objectives.”

The Gunners had initially made contact with Real Madrid earlier this month and it has been suggested that the deal would be dependent on manager Zinedine Zidane. However, that did not prove a stumbling block with the Frenchman permitting the loan move, although the Gunners could not include the option to buy.

Nonetheless, the Spaniard has strong passing attributes which have been displayed over the past few years and he could prove the perfect fit at the heart of the Gunners’ midfield, considering he likes to dribble through opposition players, something which has reduced at the north London side in recent seasons.

Meanwhile, the Gunners have also recruit William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli this summer but the former won’t be making his debut until the 2020/21 campaign. The Frenchman was signed from Saint-Etienne this summer with the promise that he would return to the Ligue 1 side on loan for the upcoming season.