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Arsenal star details crunch talks with Mikel Arteta amid 'doubts' over Gunners future
Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos has revealed the details of crunch talks with Mikel Arteta in January.
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Arsenal ace Dani Ceballos has revealed how crunch talks with Mikel Arteta sparked a revival in his fortunes. The Real Madrid loanee was lauded by fans in the opening weeks of the campaign before injury and form saw him fall out of favour over the winter period. But he has battled his way back into Arteta's first-choice XI since the Premier League restart, forming an encouraging partnership with Granit Xhaka in the engine room.
It is a far cry from the lows of January when Ceballos was linked with a premature move away from Arsenal, which prompted a serious discussion with Arteta.
Ceballos told Sky Sports: "Of course, when you get an injury and you don't play, you start to get a few doubts.
"But I spoke to the mister and we agreed find a way forward together.
"He told me he knew me very well and that he had followed me a lot in Spain. He supported me a lot."
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Ceballos has been one of Arsenal's best players since the restart from the coronavirus suspension.
A deeper role in midfield has unlocked the Spaniard's talents, while Arteta's in-game instructions are proving invaluable.
"The mister is living the game constantly," Ceballos said.
"We know it's a plus for us to have someone next to the pitch who can see things we can't see at certain moments, and he can communicate with us much quicker now that there is nobody in the stadium.
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"He is using me in a position which is unusual for me, as a pivot in front of the defence next to Granit, so I think it's good that he is helping.
"Someone who is looking at the pitch from the outside can see all 22 players and give better advice about the best positions to be in."
Arsenal are in talks with Ceballos' parent club over a permanent deal or loan extension, with Arteta eager to keep the 23-year-old on board.
Ceballos said: "Right now, I'm only thinking about the next games because if we win them, we have some chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
"After that, I have to be calm. I have to return to Real Madrid and they have to make a decision because I have a contract there for the next three years.
"Once I know their decision, I will sit down with my family and the people close to me and see what's best for me next year.
"But the truth is I'm very happy at Arsenal. It's a club in which I already have a year of experience, so it would be very easy to return. I wouldn't have to adapt to a new league or new club with a different manager and players.
"I think it would be a good step for me. But like I said, my future depends on Real Madrid and right now I don't know their decision."
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