Joel Campbell claims he requested to leave Arsenal on loan after completing a temporary move to Sporting CP last month.
The forward has been a perennial fringe player at Emirates Stadium since joining in 2011 and he was eager to prove himself somewhere at a first-team level.
"I am at an important step in my career and saw that I would not have many chances to play at Arsenal, so I asked to go on loan," the 24-year-old told A Bola.
"I could have chosen to stay, have a good salary, but I'd rather go after my dreams.
"I want to continue to develop and maintain this passion for the game.
"Sporting is a good opportunity in my career, a great team. I am happy with the decision I made."
The Costa Rica international was last on loan at Villarreal, having made only 23 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.
