Tomas Rosicky has revealed he rejected mega-money offers from China and Russia to stay at Arsenal.
The 31-year-old Czech midfielder, who has enjoyed a resurgence in recent weeks, signed a new contract with the Gunners on Monday but he revealed he was tempted by the lucrative wages on offer elsewhere.
He told the isport.blesk.cz website, he said: "In both cases, it was financially huge numbers, so that somehow you had to entertain it - it's not easy. Some days I thought about it, but money is not everything. I'm glad I'll be able to continue at Arsenal."
He added: "Arsenal let me get to the point where I had just half a year on my contract and could talk to anyone I wanted.
"It started to get interesting because I had very lucrative offers. This turned my head a little, but I have to say that Arsenal were my priority."
Rosicky denied his recent purple patch was anything to do with his contract saga.
He said: "I want to say that what was sometimes written, that I have played better because I'm fighting for a contract, had nothing to do with it.
"Although it is now signed, it was just a matter of preparing the paperwork.
"I had given my word to the coach that I would stay much earlier."
Source: PA
