Has departed for Villarreal on a 2 year deal after refusing Arteta's offer to join the backroom staff. I wish him the very best of luck. A promising career at Arsenal cut short. How many more will follow?
That's a bit of a kick in the nuts considering we've nursed and nurtured him for the last 2 plus years!
The most equitable deal would have been a 'paid as you play' contract (I assume his/club insurance policies have been covering some/all of his current wages to date) . Perhaps that was offered, but he felt the opportunities for first team play are far less now, even if fully fit (so the Villareal offer may be better on that front) . Better to reserve judgement until all the facts are known.
I think he'll be lucky to be playing regular football and the PL would be more physically demanding than Spain, so I can understand the move. Sad to see him go but his Arsenal career was over for over a year now.