Matuidi happy at Les Verts

Matuidi: Rejects Arsenal link

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• Blaise Matuidi

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Blaise Matuidi has reiterated his desire to remain at St Etienne for the time being amid suggestions that he is set for a move to Arsenal.

The Gunners have been linked with the holding midfielder for some time now but the 22-year-old quashed rumours over his future by signing a new contract with the Ligue 1 club in October that ties him down to 2013.

However the speculation refuses to go away resulting in Matuidi to declare that he could even look to extend his new deal before he moves abroad.

The Frenchman does admit that a move to North London would interest him but insists he is happy with Les Verts despite their lowly position in the league table.

"Today I am happy to be at St Etienne," he told Le Quotidien du Foot. "I didn't want to leave ASSE for the sake of it in the summer.

"St Etienne remains a great club. Moreover it is a real honour to wear the armband.

"Arsenal? Of course I won't hide it is a challenge that attracted me. Arsenal is a very big club. But today I am at St Etienne and the aim is to achieve a great season here.

"We will see what will happen in the future, we will think about Arsenal again at the right time. I will probably prolong.

"I have to meet the chairman soon to talk about the future, but I am not alone to make such a decision."