Matteo Guendouzi says he is looking forward to a fresh start on loan at Hertha Berlin after being frozen out of the Arsenal first team.
Guendouzi hadn't featured for the Gunners since becoming embroiled in a row with Brighton striker Neal Maupay during Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to The Seagulls last season.
The 21-year-old was reportedly cast aside by Mikel Arteta following incidents of ill-discipline, and was consistently been left out of matchday squads ever since.
The midfielder finally secured a move away from north London on transfer deadline day, joining Bundesliga outfit Hertha on a season-long loan.
Speaking after helping France Under-21's beat Liechtenstein 5-0 on Thursday, Guendouzi was asked whether he still had a future at Arsenal.
"It is not that, I just really needed to play this year, a new challenge," he said.
"That was the most important thing for me. I am still young, I am only 21, so playing time was the top priority for me.
"I know that by going to Hertha Berlin, I’ll be able to really express myself in a great league, so everything is perfect.
“They’re a very good German club, with great ambition, so I’ve gone on loan for a year over there.
"I’m going to give everything for this club. I needed game time, to enjoy myself on the pitch and that’s what I’m going to do this year."
