The Brazilian full back was told he could leave Highbury after losing his place to England international Ashley Cole and admitted he could not be sitting on the sidelines waiting for his chance.
The 27-year-old hopes that playing regularly in La Liga will improve his chances of establishing himself in the Brazil team and win him a place in the World Cup squad, should they qualify.
"It was very frustrating not to be playing," Silvinho told The News of the World. "It was no good to me just playing, staying out for the next game and then coming back again.
"I could not regain my confidence or my form. When I came back in January I had two or three bad games but that was to be expected as I was getting back to form.
"Next year we've got a World Cup. I was very concerned about my international place with Brazil. And the Spanish League gives me a chance, especially if I play as I did in my first year and a half with Arsenal.
"When you know you're good enough to be in the side it's frustrating to be on the bench. I wasn't feeling well. It was terrible."
The former Corinthians ace admitted that he was unhappy at not playing and when he told Gunners boss Arsene Wenger he wanted to leave the Frenchman did not try to change his mind.
"At the start of January I started thinking about my future at the club," said Silvinho. "I came back but suffered another injury with my calf and then, after I returned, I couldn't get back in the team.
"I talked to my wife and she told me: 'If you're not happy here you have to move. I don't want to see you upset all the time'.
"I was very unhappy and it was only because my wife was so supportive that I pulled through.
"I cannot blame Arsene Wenger. He needs to do what's best for Arsenal. And I thought with Ashley being very good I wouldn't have the chance to play any more.
"I spoke to him about it. I didn't tell him: 'Oh I have to play', because I always respected Cole. We had a conversation before I left for holiday late in May and I said to him that I preferred to move.
"When I left for holiday I said to Wenger: 'I will probably not come back here.' He didn't try to change my mind."
Silvinho also raised further controversy over the false passport appeal which has been afflicting football throughout Europe, by revealing he was unsure why Arsenal had registered him with a Portuguese passport.
The left-sided defender is registered as a Brazilian at Celta and this could mean The Gunners facing an investigation over the validity of his registration when he was playing in The Premiership.
"I don't know why Arsenal had to register me with a Portuguese passport," said Silvinho. "This is a problem for the president at Arsenal and some people at Arsenal.
"I don't remember. Two years ago I didn't know anything about the registration or English football. I had nothing to do with getting a Portuguese passport. I think I had it a few months before I went to Arsenal."
