Dani Ceballos says his priority is to become a regular for Real Madrid once his second season on loan at Arsenal has come to an end.
The midfielder impressed for the Gunners in 2019-20 before extending his loan stay for an additional season.
He has not played as regularly in this campaign, prompting speculation Madrid would recall the 24-year-old and loan him out elsewhere to get more minutes.
But Ceballos did return to the Arsenal starting XI with an impressive performance in the 4-0 away win over West Brom last time out, the club's third consecutive triumph.
While Ceballos is loving playing under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, he still sees his future with Madrid rather than in London.
"A third year on loan? No, my goal is to return to Real Madrid and be important at the best club in the world," he told El Larguero.
"I believe that one day I will come back and be able to return the affection that the fans showed me.
"I signed a long contract with Madrid. I have two-and-a-half years left.
"For various reasons, I didn't leave the club in the best manner. My goal is to succeed at Arsenal [but] my wish is to wear the Madrid shirt.
"For those of us from Madrid, the arrival of Zinedine Zidane has been good for everyone.
"Each coach has their taste in players. He told me that he needed me to play and get minutes. He was clear with me."
Discussing life under Arteta with Arsenal, Ceballos, who has started nine of the Gunners' 17 Premier League matches, continued: "Mikel is a coach who suits me like a glove.
"That is because he played in the same position as me. He wants us to play forward when we steal the ball.
"The Premier League is a bit below [LaLiga] at a tactical level but it is more physical. The position of number eight is the one that suits me best.
"We started to get into bad dynamics and when a team has a priority to fight for Europe it is difficult to get out. We have chained three victories together and hopefully we will go up [the table]."
Ceballos also said he would love to be reunited with the Real Betis fans by playing there again later in his career.
"Betis is different from any club in the world," he added.
Barcelona could demand Real Madrid replay if ‘phantom goal’ deemed legal
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has threatened legal action and could demand a replay after his side were denied a goal against Real Madrid at the weekend.
Lamine Yamal thought he had scored in the 28th minute of Sunday’s 3-2 LaLiga loss at the Bernabeu but, after a lengthy VAR check, it was ruled the ball had not cross the line.
The Spanish competition does not use goalline technology.
Laporta has requested footage and audio of the decision-making over this “phantom goal” incident from the Spanish Football Federation and will then consider further action.
He said in a statement on the club’s website, fcbarcelona.com: “If, once this documentation has been analysed, the club understands that an error was made in the revision of the incident, we will take all available measures to reverse the situation, without discounting, obviously, any necessary legal action.
“If it is confirmed that it was a legal goal, we will move ahead and we do not discount requesting that the game be replayed, just as has happened in another game in Europe due to a VAR error.”
Laporta was referring to a decision to replay a Belgian Pro League between Anderlecht and Genk because of a VAR error earlier this season.
Real went on to win the match 3-2 with a stoppage-time winner from Jude Bellingham and are now 11 points clear of Barca at the top of the table.
Football rumours: Five clubs in the race to sign Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise
What the papers say
Five clubs are in the race to sign Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise, Football Insider reports, with Arsenal and Manchester United joining Manchester City, Juventus and Chelsea. The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in 14 games for Palace this season.
The Sun says Barcelona have joined Arsenal in the fight for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak with the Spanish club hoping to strike a deal with the Magpies for a player reported to be valued at around £90million. The 24-year-old Sweden international has scored 17 goals in 24 Premier League games for Newcastle this season.
Meanwhile, the credentials of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be assessed by new technical director Jason Wilcox as the club decides on the Dutchman’s future, according to the Telegraph, while the same outlet says former Wolvers manager Julen Lopetegui is a contender to replace David Moyes at West Ham.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Viktor Gyokeres: The 25-year-old Sporting Lisbon striker is Arsenal’s top target as the Gunners prepare to make several signings this summer, Football Transfers reports.
Wilfred Ndidi: Crystal Palace are interested in the Leicester midfielder who is available for a free transfer this summer, according to Talksport.
Mikel Arteta says Mauricio Pochettino was ‘like a father’ to him as young player
Mikel Arteta said Mauricio Pochettino was “like a father” to him in his early playing days ahead of their meeting in Arsenal’s clash against Chelsea in the Premier League.
Arteta played alongside the Chelsea boss at Paris St Germain before their rise as coaches in Europe’s top divisions.
The Arsenal manager talked up the influence Pochettino had on him as a player, admitting he was inspired by the Argentinian as a teenager.
The pair will face off at the Emirates on Tuesday.
When asked how influential Pochettino was for Arteta as a player, he said: “He’s one of the most.
“I was 17 or 18 in Paris with no experience in professional football. He doesn’t like me saying it but to me he was like a father, he took me under his arm, he gave me incredible advice and protected me, he inspired me and I learned so much in our two years together.”
Arteta’s top-of-the-table Gunners have come a long way since he took over in 2019.
They sit one point ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand, and lead Liverpool on goal difference as they continue their bid for Premier League glory with five games remaining.
Arteta sought the opinion of Pochettino before leaving Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s assistant to become manager of the north London side.
“When I had to make a decision I asked him and explained the situation and he gave me some advice and he was needed,” Arteta added.
“I admire what he’s done in his career and he’s someone I’ve looked to because he was impactful to me in the most important stage of my career. As a role model I can’t pick anyone better.
“He doesn’t need to help me about tactics. The best influence he has had on me is the way he speaks about his life, his professionalism, his family and who he was as a figure in the dressing room and the passion and love he has for the game.
“That for me is the most important things which I learnt from him.”
A league title will be Arsenal’s first since 2003-04.
Arteta, whose side were dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich last week, noted that there are further steps he wants his team to make in their development.
He said: “We need to see how we can make another step or two forward because that’s what this team is demanding to keep moving forward in a ruthless way because we’re not satisfied.
“You can see the team really wants it. We will try to be as fresh as possible but I think we can cope with that.”
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