Mathieu Debuchy has told RMC Sport he is determined to move on from Arsenal during the winter transfer window.
Debuchy, 32, arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Newcastle in 2014 as one of the Premier League's top right-backs and pushing to become France's first-choice in the position.
A serious ankle ligament injury sustained barely a month after making his competitive debut for Arsenal ruined his ambitions, however, as Hector Bellerin seized the opportunity to move ahead of him in Arsene Wenger's plans.
But while Debuchy made his first start in almost a year in the Europa League game against Red Star Belgrade in October, and has made a total of six appearances in cup competitions this season, he remains hopeful of not seeing out the final 18 months of his contract in North London.
"I want to leave, to find a new challenge in January. The fact I'm playing well will give me opportunities," Debuchy said.
The former Lille man would not rule out a return to France despite a disappointing loan spell at Bordeaux in 2016, saying: "We'll see if there are good opportunities in the transfer window. I'm open."
Debuchy had already expected to return to Ligue 1 when Nice made a serious approach for him last summer.
With Arsenal willing to allow him to leave, the deal appeared set to be completed only for Nice to finally bring in fellow France international Christophe Jallet instead.
"As of this moment, I still don't know why it didn't come through. I was really close to Nice," Debuchy said. "I met Julien Fournier [Nice's CEO], and I also met the coach in a hotel in the city. We talked a lot. I passed tests to reassure them, and everything was great.
"I was waiting for them to get back to me, but in the end they never did, not even a little message. I was very disappointed with that attitude, especially from Mr Fournier, but I've moved on and it's allowed me to play very high-level games with Arsenal again."