Fed-up Diarra wants to leave Arsenal - report
According to reports, France midfielder Lassana Diarra wants to leave Arsenal due his frustration at being left on the substitutes' bench.
France midfielder Lassana Diarra wants to leave Arsenal due his frustration at being left on the substitutes' bench.
Diarra is a regular with 'Les Bleus' but has found regular playing time among Arsene Wenger's foreign legion hard to come by.
"We're halfway through December, and I've decided: I want to leave Arsenal. The bottom line is the coach doesn't need me," Diarra told Sunday's edition of L'Equipe.
"They don't want me. I don't understand, because I've got more value in the French national team."
Diarra has already informed the Premier League leaders, who face Chelsea on Sunday, of his feelings.
And while he said he has no argument with Wenger, he feels let down by the club's management.
"When I signed for Arsenal I was made promises by the people who recruited me," he added.
"But since the start of the season the only matches I've been involved in have been low-key, and to be honest I'm getting fed up with it.
"With Mister Wenger, there's no problem whatsoever. I'm not going to criticise him or speak badly of him. I'm not the kind of person who creates problems.
"But I signed for Arsenal because I was led to believe I was going to be playing, and there would be healthy competition (for a spot). That hasn't been the case."