Calum Chambers refuses to give up on his Arsenal future and held meetings with manager Unai Emery in the summer to make his intentions clear.
After two years out on loan at Middlesbrough and then Fulham, Chambers has returned to North London and is part of Emery's first-team squad.
On Sunday against Aston Villa he came off the bench at half-time and scored his first Arsenal goal in more than three years in a 3-2 win.
'We spoke at the start of the season,' said Chambers. 'The plan always was for me to go to Fulham, to come back and play here. That was always my plan in my head.
'I went away, at Fulham it was great. I had a great time there, gained some experience and have come back here and wanted to bring what I learnt last season back here and to help out the team.'
Chambers started the first game of the Premier League season but lost his place when Arsenal swooped to sign David Luiz for £8million from Chelsea ahead of the transfer deadline.
'Obviously it was disappointing, but I respect the manager and I respect his decisions,' said the 24-year-old who was signed from Southampton for £16m in 2014. 'He spoke to me and I spoke to him. What was said is between me and him.
'I have to work hard in training every day to get an opportunity again and to prove myself and help the team where I can.'