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Jeffers questions Arsenal future

FRANCIS JEFFERS has brought his long-term Arsenal future into doubt by saying he would consider quitting the club if he is not playing regularly in twelve months time.

The England Under-21 international has only been a bit-part player at Highbury since his £10 million move from Everton, making a total of just five first-team starts.

Now the 21-year-old has admitted he would leave the reigning champions to get the first-team football he craves.

"If it comes to it, that in maybe a year or so I'm still not playing, obviously I'll have to look at the situation," said Jeffers.

"When I was at Everton I played regularly. It's difficult to then take a backseat and sit on the bench or drop into the reserves and not be playing as much as I would like.

"That's not being big-headed - it's just when you've had a taste of the Premiership and big games, you want to play more regularly.

"It hasn't worn me down yet, I'm still as bubbly as ever.

"But if at the end of the season I haven't played any Premiership games it'll probably wear me down then.

"I want to play every week, that's what I am here for, but obviously it's not happening.

"The lads here are playing well and the strikers are so good.

"But in the games I have played, I've scored, so I don't know what I can do."

Jeffer's task in forcing his way into Wenger's plans looks set to get even tougher however with news that young French striker Jeremie Aliadiere is also nearing a return to fitness.

The 19-year-old has been out for three months with a hernia injury, but is set to resume training next week.