Eddie Nketiah admits Unai Emery wanted him to stay at Arsenal this season.
Nketiah, 20, has scored three times in just five appearances since completing a loan move to Leeds this summer.
The youngster continued his goalscoring form with a brace in England Under-21s' victory over Turkey on Friday night.
Nketiah admits Emery wanted him to stick around at the Emirates and provide cover for Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but he knew he needed to get regular game time.
"The manager wanted me to stay so it’s really confidence-boosting for me that he had me in his plans," Nketiah told the Mail.
"But I felt like it was a good step for me to come to Leeds.
"I hope it’s a good year that can leave me in good stead going back to Arsenal to fight for a place.
"There were a lot of options, there were options for me to go to Germany but me, my family and the club decided Leeds was the best place."
Reiss Nelson was also on target for the Young Lions on Friday night as they beat Turkey 3-2 in their Euro 20121 qualifying opener.
The win helped relieve some of the pressure on boss Aidy Boothroyd after a dismal campaign this summer.
England's next encounter is against Kosovo in Hull on Tusday.
