Fekir: I won't join Arsenal to sit on the bench

Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir insists he will only join Arsenal if he is guaranteed first-team football.

Fekir acknowledged the Gunners’ interest in acquiring his signature in December, and his father subsequently revealed that he felt north London would be the ideal destination for his son were he to leave the Ligue 1 side.

But Fekir, valued at around €27 million, has now moved to quell any rising speculation and says he will not leave Stade Gerland to sit on the bench at another club.

"With all the great players at Arsenal it would be difficult for me to get a place in their team," he told L’Equipe.

"You never know what might happen. But I don’t want to leave Lyon too early, and end up sitting on a sub’s bench somewhere.

"I love to play. I am not happy if I don’t get games."

Fekir has scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in 26 appearances in all competitions this season to help Lyon push PSG for top spot in Ligue Un.