Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci admits he was always going to leave Sevilla this summer.
After being made aware of Arsenal's interest, Squillaci asked not to be included in the Sevilla squad for their Champions League qualifier against Braga so as not to be cup-tied.
He said: "I spent two great seasons at Sevilla, but early on I realised that I was not part of the manager's plans this year, and that it would be better for me to leave.
"When my agents told me, just before the end of the transfer window, that Arsenal were interested in signing me, I told them 'go for it.' There was no way I could let this opportunity slip."
