Dani Ceballos says it was ‘infuriating’ watching Arsenal struggle whilst injured

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Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos has opened up about his recent hamstring injury, branding his rest period ‘infuriating’ as the team struggled to get positive results under Unai Emery.

The Spaniard sustained the issue during the Europa League group stage match against Vitoria back in November.

It caused him to miss a total of 11 games, a period during which Arsenal won just one game.

As the 23-year-old recuperated, the team faltered under Emery and on November 29, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain coach was fired by the Arsenal board.

In a feature for the official Arsenal website, Ceballos reflected: “That [injury] came at a time when the team was struggling a little bit, so it was really tough watching at home because I could see that the team was in a difficult place and it was infuriating not being able to help.

“I’m back with the team now and I’m trying to give everything I have to help us recoup the points we dropped in the first half of the season.”

Ceballos has now put his injury behind him, and made his first league appearances under new manager Mikel Arteta last weekend against Newcastle United.

It was a positive display from the Real Madrid loanee, who’ll be hoping to retain his place in tonight’s Europa League game against Olympiacos.

TBR’s view – Big season run-in need from Ceballos

Ceballos needs to channel that frustration now and have a big end to the 2019/20 season.

It’s perhaps fair to say that, following his sensational full debut against Burnley in August, Ceballos hasn’t quite lived up to the hype at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s important for him to get in the team and stay there.

He’s a player who can dictate a game and Arsenal need him, and there’s added incentive to perform with the European Championships coming up this summer.