Mikel Arteta Wants Arsenal To Sign Dani Ceballos Permanently

Arsenal are trying to keep Dani Ceballos permanently after all.

Mikel Arteta has managed to integrate the Spaniard into his side to great effect, allowing him to start in seven of the alst eight Premier League fixtures.

Ceballos’ loan deal was only extended till the end of the season after which he was expected to head back to Real Madrid. Unfortunately for the midfielder, Zinedine Zidane does not rate him or want him back at the Bernabeu. With no future back in the Spanish capital, Arsenal have the upper hand in driving out a bargain for the 23-year-old.

“Yeah, we are talking to [Real Madrid],” Arteta said ahead of the Leicester City game. “Obviously we don’t own the player, it is not in our hands. We need to have a communication and see what we can do.”

Ceballos scored the winning goal in Arsenal’s FA Cup semi-final tie against Sheffield United. Arteta is greatly impressed with his compatriot, who has bounced back after suffering a hamstring injury midway through the campaign.

“I’m really happy with him the way he is evolving. And, as well, I love how much he likes to play football, the passion that he puts in every training session and in every game,” he added. “You have to see his celebrations. Whether he’s on the pitch or on the bench, the way he celebrates the goals. He puts his life into it. I’m really happy with him. I think he is evolving the right way and becoming a really important player for us.”