Dani Ceballos says he does not regret being away from Real Madrid after taking a "very important step" in joining Arsenal on loan.
The Spaniard, 23, joined the Gunners for the 2019/20 season without an option to buy despite Raul Sanllehi and the Arsenal hierarchy attempting to negotiate one. Real Madrid see Ceballos as a prospect who could play a major role for them in the coming years.
Ceballos' start to life at Arsenal will have done little to dissuade them. He leads Unai Emery's side with two assists and has put in impressive performances against the likes of Burnley and Bournemouth as he adapts to life in the Premier League.
Ceballos has featured in every one of Arsenal's eight league games this season, starting five, and is relishing a more sizeable role after finding himself on the fringes at Real Madrid.
"Going to Arsenal has been a very important step in my career," he said at a press conference with the Spanish national team. "I don’t feel sorry for not being in Madrid. Right now I am where I want to be and I am very happy.
"My idea was to go out, play and enjoy football.
"In the previous two years I had not done so."
Ceballos' form at Arsenal has helped him to secure his grip over a role in the Spanish national team and he acknowledged that next summer's European Championships had played a role in convincing him to depart the Santiago Bernabeu.
"I knew the importance of this year. My goal is to reach EURO 2020 and going to Arsenal has been a very important step in my career."
He added: "In this national team there is no one indisputable. I am very happy with the trust that has been placed in me.
"Our goal is to reach the European Championship in the best possible conditions. We have a team with a lot of room for improvement."
