Anelka rues Gunners departure

Chelsea striker reminisces on past decisions

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 3rd June 2008

nicolas anleka chelsea

Anelka: Poor choices

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Nicolas Anelka claims his career took a turn for the worse once he made the decision to leave Arsenal.

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 UEFA 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 naive decisions during his early years as a professional.

Mistakes

"Everyone makes mistakes in life and I can say that I made one in leaving Arsenal," said the Chelsea hit-man.

"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.

Mature

"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."

Chelsea spent £15million to take Anelka to Stamford Bridge in January, and despite high expectations he has failed to shine on his return to the capital.

He has blamed former Blues boss Avram Grant's policy of playing him as a winger for his failure to settle and has urged any potential new coach to return him to his favoured position down the middle.

"My wish is to play behind the main striker as that is where I feel I'm most useful," he said.