Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is leaving the club this summer as he feels that he is no longer good enough to play for them.
The club captain came on as a late sub during the Gunners' 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday before leaving the pitch in tears following the final whistle.
The 34-year-old acknowledged that it was the right time to leave the club, and also revealed that he is 99% certain to be retiring from playing altogether this summer.
"It was unbelievable because the last few months have been really difficult and I have been through a difficult position as well with my role in the team. To have the opportunity to say goodbye and 99% to say goodbye to the sport that I love is very hard, but my taste of it can't get better than today. A big thank you to everybody," Arteta told reporters.
"It is very hard to stop but I wanted to leave it... I wanted to decide and I thought for the last few months I wasn't good enough to represent this club on the pitch. You have to accept it. It's been a long time to be playing football and I didn't want to cheat them or anyone. It is time. You have to be honest with yourself. That's why I haven't been upset with the manager, I have been upset with myself.
"When you can't get it right and you have been through injuries and difficult moments at this level... for me to play at this club you have to be the best in your position. When you lose that, I think you should be away from this place. I have probably been here too long. In the last few months, I probably didn't deserve to be here but at least I got the chance today to stay in touch with them and it has been amazing.
"For me, the standards you need to play for this club, it cannot be eight out of 10, it has to be 10 out of 10. When you cannot deliver that, it is not good enough."
Arteta made 150 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, helping the club to two FA Cups.
Barney Corkhill
