Keeper Iker Casillas has admitted he considered leaving Real Madrid
Iker Casillas has admitted he considered leaving Real Madrid and believes Arsenal were interested in securing his services before he decided to stay and fight for his place.
Goalkeeper Casillas found himself behind Diego Lopez in the pecking order at the Bernabeu, with the Spain international limited to just two league appearances and cup matches last season.
Despite his lack of first-team action and perhaps an injury to his main rival Victor Valdes, Casillas remained his county's number one and is a regular starter this season with Los Blancos.
"I thought about going," he told Canal Plus. "What you want is for Real Madrid to always win. But in the end, at 33-years-of age, you think, why should I (go)?
"I want to fight, to make a go of it, to be reborn from the ashes.
"There was a lot of talk about an offer from Arsenal, but there was nothing concrete. I want to stay at Real Madrid, keep fighting here and finish my career here."
However Casillas has not ruled out a spell abroad before returning to the Spanish capital.
"I would like to have some experience abroad before retiring," he said.
"I think it would help me to appreciate Real Madrid even more. I am convinced that if you go abroad, you will realise what this club represents for the whole world."