intends to return to play in at some point before his career ends, but has not ruled out staying at beyond the end of his current contract.
The 31-year-old joined the Gunners from in January this year and, while not a guaranteed starter since then, has played regularly under Mikel Arteta.
The Italy international has made nine Premier League appearances so far this season and turned out in three of Arsenal’s outings in the Champions League.
His current deal expires in the summer, meaning he is free to speak to overseas clubs in January and that could happen as he considers a return to Serie A, where he made his name at Napoli from 2014-18.
He is keeping his options open, though, and is enjoying his time at Arsenal as they look to mount another Premier League title challenge this season.
‘I’m very much in doubt, I would like to return [to Italy] but I don’t know when the right time would be,’ he said while on international duty this week.
‘I want to return yes, but I don’t know when, I feel I still have things to do at Arsenal. It always takes time when you change teams, but the first six months at Arsenal were not negative, on the contrary.’
On his progression at Arsenal later on in his career, the Brazilian-born midfielder added: ‘Obviously, it takes time to understand the mechanisms better, Arteta gives you a billion pieces of information but I’m very happy there.
‘I have grown a lot on the pitch, in experience. I changed teams, coaches, therefore more information. I understood the game even more and how to compete.
‘Competing does not just mean playing well, but also comes from experience. And this I try to pass this experience on to my teammates too.’
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