New Arsenal signing Mikel Arteta has stated that the chance to move to North London and compete in the Champions League was too good to turn down.
Arsene Wenger signed the Spaniard from Everton in a last-gasp £10 million deal on transfer deadline day, with the 29-year-old earmarked as a potential replacement for outgoing Cesc Fabregas.
“It is a big opportunity for me and my family and I think it is the right time for me to take it. It is a big challenge, a different challenge, fresh for me and I want to see myself on the biggest stage, the Champions League,” he is reported to have said in The Telegraph.
The manner in which the playmaker left Goodison Park may disappoint Toffees fans, but Arteta feels he has been a loyal servant to the Merseyside outfit.
“I am 29 years old so I haven’t got much time left to take a chance like this one. I think I have done my best for Everton.
“I always try hard, I have been as professional as I could and I was grateful for the support and the love that the club and the fans showed me. It is very difficult to say goodbye. I still can’t believe it but at the same time I think it is the right moment for everyone.
“Obviously I am never going to forget what I have done here and what the people and this club have done for me,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Per Mertesacker, who also joined the Gunners on Wednesday in a £9 million move from Werder Bremen, is excited about the challenge ahead.
“Arsenal have this ability to play good football and to have Arsene Wenger on top of that as coach is unbelievable. I have wanted this for so long. It is a challenging task which I will tackle because I will also develop further as a player,” the Germany international told the club’s official website.
The pair may make their Arsenal debuts in the side’s next Premier League match, which is against Swansea at the Emirates on September 10th.
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