Krystian Bielik has revealed that he was left to train on his own as his Arsenal future was resolved.
The 21-year-old completed a permanent switch to Derby County for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £10million.
It comes after a successful campaign on loan with Charlton Athletic in League One, with many tipping him to challenge for a place in Unai Emery's first team squad at the Emirates Stadium.
However it seems that this was never a likely scenario, with Bielik admitting that the club didn't see him as part of Unai Emery's plans.
Speaking after completing his move to the Rams, he said: "Last season was very good for me.
We got promoted to the Championship with Charlton Athletic and after that we had the European Championships with Poland Under-21s, but it didn’t quite work and we didn’t go through.
“I had my holidays and came back to Arsenal and because of the situation, I trained as an individual. I knew already that a few clubs would be interested in me and I might leave Arsenal.
“That was a good time to leave. They didn’t see me as the future anymore and the manager had different plans as well.
“It was sad when I left the training ground but I spent four and a half years at Arsenal. I joined them at 17 so I was only a kid but I leave there as a man.
“I am a 21-year-old man now and I know what I want. That is to play first team football and that’s what I need.
“I’m here to help my team-mates and here to do another step in my career. I promise I am going to do my best in every training session and in every game.
“I’m really glad that I have joined Derby. It’s a massive club and I know that it is a big step forward for me in my career. I’m looking forward now and I can’t wait to get out on the pitch and start training.”
