Dani Ceballos has probably played his last minutes of significant Arsenal action, with no permanent deal likely and little chance he starts any further games of importance.

April 29, 2021, Villarreal, Spain: Artur Soares Dias referee and Etienne Capoue, Pau Francisco Torres, Dani Parejo of Villarreal CF and Daniel Ceballos Fernandez, Granit Xhaka of Arsenal FC react during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg football match between Villarreal and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica. Villarreal Spain Copyright: Xisco Navarro
April 29, 2021, Villarreal, Spain: Artur Soares Dias referee and Etienne Capoue, Pau Francisco Torres, Dani Parejo of Villarreal CF and Daniel Ceballos Fernandez, Granit Xhaka of Arsenal FC react during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg football match between Villarreal and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica. Villarreal Spain Copyright: Xisco Navarro

The Telegraph suggest Dani Ceballos’ red card will almost certainly prove to be the final significant action of his Arsenal career. They suggest his recent error-prone performances are too numerous to make him worth buying permanently.

Even before the game, Football.London reported that Arsenal are currently not expected to pursue a permanent deal for Ceballos. Fabrizio Romano now reports the decision is made and Ceballos will leave at the end of the campaign.

I wouldn’t expect Thursday to be his last game for the club. In fact, I’m currently expecting him to start against Newcastle United – but only because that game doesn’t matter and next Thursday’s does.

Ceballos will be suspended for the Europa League second leg, of course. But if Arsenal do make it to the final, the midfielder has little chance of featuring in the starting lineup for that game. I also wouldn’t expect to see him against Chelsea in two weeks.

In hindsight, it was particularly stupid of Ceballos to go on public record as saying he’s much better suited to La Liga a few days before a key match against a Spanish side. It turned up the scrutiny on his display, which was totally disastrous.

The midfielder can have no complaints if and when Real Madrid scouts suggest they didn’t see much on Thursday night to prove he’d be better off in the Spanish league. A summer transfer is probably on the cards now, but not to Arsenal.