Mikel Arteta has refused to be drawn on speculation that midfielder Dani Ceballos wants to end his loan spell at Arsenal and return to Real Madrid.
Having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in early November, the 23-year-old is set for further talks with the club over his role in the second half of the season.
Signed by Arteta’s predecessor Unai Emery, Ceballos has made just nine starts since arriving from Spain on loan last summer and none as yet for his new manager.
Ceballos has been targeted by Valencia as he seeks more regular game-time to force his way into contention for Spain’s Euro 2020 squad, but Arteta said: “I had a conversation with Dani.
"When I joined the club he wasn't here, he was in Madrid because he was doing his rehab - for over a month - with the team that owns him.
“And then, when I came here, he was doing his rehab and by the first two or three weeks he was getting back to fitness and I haven't seen much of him because he's only trained with us for a week or 10 days, you know.
"So, it's very early to assess what I can or cannot do with him. I heard about all those things but I have nothing to comment.”
