Lassana Diarra has stated he left Chelsea for Arsenal as he needed
more first-team football.
The French midfielder, who secured a transfer deadline day switch
to the Gunners, felt he was too far down The Blues' pecking order
to make an impact.
The 22-year-old spent two seasons at Stamford Bridge after joining
from Le Havre, but made just nine Premier League starts under Jose
Mourinho.
Diarra feels he will have a greater chance of playing at Arsenal,
although he acknowledges he is not guaranteed first-team football
under Arsene Wenger either.
"I needed to play and get more time on the pitch and I don't think
it would be possible at Chelsea," he said in The Sun.
"At Chelsea, we had Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele
and Michael Essien in midfield.
"I know it will be tough to make it at Arsenal as well. I have no
guarantee from Arsene Wenger I will play all the time but I am sure
that it will be okay.
"I know I will play big matches in the league and even in the
Champions League."
