Former Arsenal midfielder Kelechi Nwakali says the club tried to keep last year.

The Nigerian joined the club after winning the Golden Ball at the U17 World Cup, but never made a first-team appearance.

Nwakali, 21, decided to join Huesca last year, but says the Gunners tried to get him to stay.

"The deal was even done the last day of the transfer window, they didn't want me to leave but at the same time I was giving them reasons why I should leave Arsenal," Nwakali revealed in a video interview posted on the Instagram page Eagles Tracker.

"Staying in England and not playing, going on loan, I went on loan three times.

"It's better I go to a place where I can settle instead of going to a place after one year I'll leave, go to another place, it was difficult moving around, from Netherlands then Portugal.

"Even if it's going to take time, I'll work it out, I have still got age on my side."