Former Arsenal captain Nacho Monreal says he had no second thoughts about joining the club when the Gunners came calling in 2013.
The 33-year-old departed this summer to join Real Sociedad, but says he still has wonderful memories of his time in north London - and admits that it was a whirlwind transfer that brought him to the Premier League.
"January 31st 2013. I had been called by Arsenal to ask me if I wanted to go there," Monreal told Mundo Deportivo.
"That day in the morning I was training with Malaga and 10 hours later I was signing with Arsenal.
"Football is very complicated sometimes, and sometimes very simple and fast.
"Yes, no doubt [I was right to join Arsenal]. I was very happy in Malaga.
"But the club had financial needs and problems with the sheik. I was the third to go after [Santi] Cazorla and [Solomon] Rondon.
"Besides, when Arsenal calls, you don't think about it. I said yes immediately.
"The beginning was difficult. I was very shy; new country, new language, new culture, players I didn't know. It became very hard. I suffered the first 12 months.
"But I acclimatised to the city, the club and English football and my memories are wonderful. Even being captain of Arsenal. A pride."
