SHKODRAN MUSTAFI has revealed he grew "sick of football" at Everton until David Moyes allowed him to leave to join Valencia.
Mustafi signed for Arsenal for £35million in the summer and is yet to taste defeat in his 16 appearances for the Gunners.
But seven years ago Mustafi already had a brief understanding of Premier League football with Everton.
During his three-year spell the 24-year-old played just once under David Moyes, coming on as a sub in a Europa League defeat to BATE Borisov.
With the likes of Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin and a young John Stones to compete with Mustafi felt it was time to move on.
And the Germany international has revealed his gratitude to Moyes for allowing him to leave and establish his career in the La Liga.
"I went there [Everton] when I was 17, so a young guy, and I understand it was not easy for David Moyes to pick me because his team was working, but after two and a half years I started to think I really needed to play," Mustafi told the Daily Mail.
Arsenal line-up predicted to face Stoke
Fri, December 9, 2016Click through the gallery for the predicted Arsenal line-up to face Stoke
Click through the gallery for the predicted Arsenal line-up to face Stoke
"I thought I would prefer to make a step backwards and get games, rather than just going year after year not making a step.
"I knew I had to look for solutions, even if that meant going to the second division in Italy to get my games. It was a big decision.
"I told the club and David Moyes," he continued. "He actually said to me, 'If you don't want to extend your contract, it is no problem. You are a young player, we do not want to destroy your career. If you want to go you can go, even in January if you want'. I really appreciated that from Moyes.
"I might have 200 Premier League games for Everton by now but for me it was more important not to hit the wall."