Ainsley Maitland-Niles has revealed he jumped at the chance to join West Bromwich Albion on loan to gain first-team football away from Arsenal.
The versatile midfielder, who can also play on either flank as a full-back, swapped the Emirates Stadium for a relegation battle at The Hawthorns in January where he will remain for the rest of the season.
However the 23-year-old is convinced he will be able to fight for his place at the Gunners next season having shown his full worth to the club while at Sam Allardyce's Premier League strugglers.
'It's another loan deal, you are going to end up going back to the club eventually,' Maitland-Niles told talkSPORT.
'It was just more of a chance for me to show what I'm capable of other than sitting on the bench for the rest of the season and rotting away.
'The main reason was being able to play as there's nothing better than playing. I felt it would be great to experience the work of people trying to save their careers and stay in the Premier League.
'I think it was the perfect fit for me to be here and show them the qualities I can produce.'
The England international came through the Arsenal youth system and made his debut in December 2014, since making another 120 appearances for the club.
However this term he had only started five Premier League matches for the Gunners, although he did start in five of the Gunners' six Europa League group stage games.
Since joining the Baggies, he has held down his place following his debut in the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham last month, going on to be ever present in the subsequent four top flight encounters.