Former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed the reasons which led him to request a move to Arsenal.
The Spaniard, whose last action for the club was to sweep home a match winning penalty against Blackburn on Saturday, said he was ready to test himself on the biggest stage and that, in the end, the lure of Champions League football was enough to tempt him away.
Speaking to the club's official website, Arteta said: "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.
"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."
The deal, worth a reported £10m to Everton will see Arteta play against his former club twice this season, the first meeting scheduled at the Emirates on December 10.
The playmaker said that, despite making it his intention to leave, he holds the club dear that his time at Everton is not one he will forget quickly.
He said: "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.
"That is the way football is, there is always a start and an end and today is the end of probably the best time of my career. I am never going to forget it.
"It has been crazy. It has been a crazy day. I can't believe what happened, and the way it happened but as I said, that is part of football and I am going to be playing for another club soon.
"Obviously I am never going to forget what I have done here and what the people and this club have done for me.
"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."
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david kristiansen, liverpool around 8 months, 3 weeks ago