Gilberto revealed he was "sad" to have left the Emirates in search of regular first-team football at Panathinaikos despite manager Wenger wanting him to stay for a seventh season.

"I feel a bit sad, you know. I like many, many people at Arsenal and it has been fantastic this last six years at the club," Gilberto told Arsenal TV Online.

"The good thing between us, me and Arsene, is that we have been clear in our conversations.

"I showed him I wanted to play, which is normal because in the season before I played a big part.

"He told me in case I decide to leave he wouldn't stop me. It was my decision, he wanted me to stay, but at the end I didn't know, to be honest, if I would have a chance to play.

"Then I had this opportunity at Panathinaikos and I felt it was a great one in terms of playing games and a contract.

"I have three years there, when I only had one year left at Arsenal. I considered all these things to get this opportunity."