Marseille's Mathieu Valbuena to snub Arsenal

Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has admitted that he will not leave the Ligue 1 club for Arsenal this summer.

The 27-year-old is believed to have been on the Gunners' radar for some time, but the Frenchman has insisted that he will remain in France.

"I will remain faithful," Valbuena told L'Equipe. "I did not want to leave the club like that, finishing tenth. I am very much attached to the club. It's hard to leave. There are disadvantages to that but benefits too.

"Even without the Champions League next season can be exciting. At Marseille we cannot talk about transitionary seasons, but there is everything to succeed. I feel good even if that is a bit contradictory with the season we have just had."

Valbuena's current contract does not expire until 2014.