Premier League Rumors: Arteta Sings Different Tune, Wants To Keep Ceballos

Dani Ceballos' chances of staying on at Arsenal have now increased amid reports claiming his playing days at Emirates Stadium were numbered.

While a recent report claimed that Arsenal may not hand the Spanish football player a permanent deal, it appears Mikel Arteta has other plans in mind. The 38-year-old coach has revealed that he is happy with the performance of the 23-year-old midfielder and is now hoping that management can pull some strings to get him permanently.

"Both clubs have been in communication," Arteta told the media after Arsenal's Wednesday (July 1) match against Norwich City (via Goal.com). "I really like Dani and what he brings to the team."

When Arteta took over, Ceballos was still unavailable since he was dealing with an injury. But when he sprung back to action, it appears Arteta liked what he saw.

Ceballos has adapted to the system of Arteta, and the latter has apparently seen and appreciated the effort that his fellow Spaniard has been exerting.

"When I joined he wasn’t available because he had a difficult injury, but he’s understanding what we’re trying to do really, really nicely and he has big personality to play and take the ball in any area of the field and give us the continuity that we need as a team to control the games better, but as well without the ball," Arteta explained.

"The running that he’s putting in, the tackles, every time with the interceptions, his desire to win that ball back and help the team, he’s improved so much and he looks a really good player at the moment," the Arsenal coach continued.

As mentioned in a previous report, Ceballos was taken in by Arsenal when Unai Emery was still calling the shots. He was considered a potential box-to-box replacement for Aaron Ramsey and proved to be a good fit.

However, Ceballos' run was cut short by a hamstring injury that forced him to the sidelines for three months. When he returned, there was no telling if Arteta would be open to keeping him at the time.

Meanwhile, Ceballos has admitted that he has learned a lot under Arteta. He is enjoying his time and was even a difference-maker in their match against Sheffield United.

It can be recalled that the Spanish football player was the hero of that lone goal in Arsenal's FA Cup quarter-final match. It may have been the only goal he has to show in 25 games, but it was a very important one.

Until the recent revelation of Arteta, Ceballos was facing an uncertain future. A return to Real Madrid made no sense since Zinedine Zidane had no more use for him. A return to Real Betis was an option, and the same goes for Sevilla. But of the two, the former made more sense since Ceballos had reservations of playing for his former team's rival, Sevilla.