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Arsenal target Monchi has explained why he snubbed the Premier League club to return to Sevilla, per Sky Sports News.

The 50-year-old has returned to the La Liga club as their general sporting director, having previously been approached by the Gunners to become their technical director.

What's the word?

Monchi won a number of trophies at Sevilla in his first spell; the club lifted a total of 11 pieces of silverware while he was at the club.

He moved to Roma two years ago but has now returned to the Spanish side as the club look to restructure their recruitment process.

Arsenal were also heavily linked with Monchi, who worked with Unai Emery at Sevilla, after previous head of recruitment Sven Mislintat left in February.

And he has now confirmed that he did receive a proposal from the Premier League club, but was eventually convinced to return "home".

Quoted by Sky Sports, he said: "I thank Arsenal for their interest.

"It has been the club that has shown the most interest in me but, in the end, I evaluated all of the offers I had on the table and I chose the one that convinced me most.

"I had other options and very important ones that were flashier, but I've chosen Sevilla because its sporting project convinced me.

"I want to thank everyone that contributed to my return to what I consider to be my home."

The right decision

Arsenal will feel aggrieved that they have missed out on a potential game-changer of a behind-the-scenes signing, but if he didn't want to be there then, put simply, they are better off without him.

Monchi spent 17 years with Sevilla in his first spell and plucked the likes of Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic from obscurity, turning them into stars.

But the Gunners can have no qualms with his reasons for moving back to Spain.

They clearly hold a very special place in Monchi's heart and he has also dodged the pressure-cooker of the Premier League by moving to La Liga.

It is the right decision for the former goalkeeper - he also spent 11 years at Sevilla as a player - but Arsenal's search for a technical director continues.