Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, revealed that he would like to play for the London club next season. Arsenal are believed to have already tabled a £17 million bid for the player.
With the World Cup scheduled to begin next summer, the defensive midfielder is keen to get playing time to ensure his position in the Brazil national team.
"My contract with Bayern runs until 2015, but it is very important that I play first-team football to keep getting called up for the national team," Gustavo was quoted saying in Metro.
With Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, and Thiago all ahead of him in Bayern's pecking order, a move away from Germany may be necessary for him to gain the playing time he desperately seeks.
"I am in a delicate situation at Bayern, and this needs sorting out. I have personal and professional reasons to move," he added before revealing his desire to play for the Gunners.
"I have heard about the Arsenal interest," he explained. "It's a big club we're talking about here, so of course I'd like to play for them."
The Brazil international is attracted by the prospect of playing Arsenal's attacking brand of football and working with manager Arsene Wenger.
"Arsenal play a very attractive brand of football and are in the Champions League," Gustavo said. "They also have a very clever manager in Arsene Wenger. Even when Bayern beat them in the last Champions League, you could see they are not pushovers."
Operating in the defensive role in the center of midfield, Gustavo would add the much needed ball-winning ability to Arsenal's midfield. With Mikel Arteta in the centre, the two would provide a much-needed platform for the likes of Jack Wilshire to get forward.
Last season, Arteta was forced to play the defensive role as opposed to his natural game, which relies on distribution. Playing with Gustavo would allow the Spaniard to influence the game with the role in which he is most comfortable playing.
