Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has admits he made
a mistake in leaving Arsenal and believes he could have finished
his career with the Gunners.
The French international shot to prominence as a teenage
sensation during a productive two-year spell with the Gunners
between 1997 and 1999.
However, despite going on to represent some of the world's
biggest clubs, including winning the Champions League during his
time with Real Madrid, the striker believes he was wrong to quit
North London so soon.
His ability has never been in question, but his attitude has, at
times, seen him earn an unwanted reputation as a player who is
difficult to work with.
Anelka insists that is not the case, but admits that he made a
number of naïve decisions during his early years as a
professional.
"Everyone makes mistakes in life and I can say that I made one
in leaving Arsenal," said the Blues hitman.
"That is because things have gone badly for me since then.
"But I could not know what the future held in store for me.
"I could have spent my entire career at Arsenal. I took
decisions thinking I was doing the right thing.
"If I had my time again I would do things differently. I made my
decisions thinking they were the right ones at the time.
"My life has not gone as I imagined it would. There have been
highs and lows and I have experienced things I did not want to. I
have been labelled a spoiled child but why - because I chose to do
what I wanted?
"I am now more mature and confident than I was at 20."