Bastia defender Sebastien Squillaci admits he wanted to quit Arsenal a year before this summer's departure.

Squillaci admits his time with the Gunners was rarely enjoyable.

"When I joined Arsenal in summer 2010, I just came from the World Cup in South Africa and I didn't have any pre-season preparation," Squillaci said, quoted in L'Equipe.

"I was the number three centre defender, but (Thomas) Vermaelen got injured and I had to play.

"I had a good first two months, but in December it was very difficult. I was exhausted physically and I was not good.

"Training sessions when you don't play anymore? Sometimes it was difficult indeed, but it is my job.

"I could not go to training sessions without any enthusiasm. Your team-mates need strong opposition. I could not give up, even if I didn't always have a great state of mind.

"In summer 2012, the club could have made a good gesture to let me leave, but they didn't want. A club is just like a business, human being is not the top concern.

"But I woke up every morning to go and play football, it was not going down the mine."