Joel Campbell claims he requested to leave Arsenal on loan after completing a temporary move to Sporting CP last month.
The forward has been a perennial fringe player at Emirates Stadium since joining in 2011 and he was eager to prove himself somewhere at a first-team level.
"I am at an important step in my career and saw that I would not have many chances to play at Arsenal, so I asked to go on loan," the 24-year-old told A Bola.
"I could have chosen to stay, have a good salary, but I'd rather go after my dreams.
"I want to continue to develop and maintain this passion for the game.
"Sporting is a good opportunity in my career, a great team. I am happy with the decision I made."
The Costa Rica international was last on loan at Villarreal, having made only 23 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.
‘Maybe I’ll be signed by Wrexham, who knows? English football would suit me – if an offer came, I wouldn’t think twice, I’d go immediately’ Euro 2024 cult hero reveals his UK dream
‘Managing Leeds? It was an option that appeared, but it wasn’t the right timing. I decided it wasn’t a good idea to leave the club I was at mid-season’: Premier League boss admits to turning down opportunity to replace Jesse Marsch in 2023
