Panathinaikos signing Gilberto Silva admits he chose to leave Arsenal over concerns for his first team status.

Speaking to Arsenal TV, Gilberto said: "I don't know if I'd have had a chance to play this season and then I had this opportunity [Panathinaikos].

"It's a great opportunity in terms of playing games and also contractually.

"I've got three years there and had just one more year left at Arsenal and I considered all these things."