Arsenal target going no-where say Lille

By European Football
January 6 2005

Mathieu Bodmer is not going to Arsenal or anywhere else according to French side Lille. The player had been monitored by Arsenal and they were expected to make a bid, either now or in the summer, but Lille chairman Michel Seydoux says that the 22-year-old is going no-where. "It is impossible that he could leave," Seydoux told L'Equipe. "Anyway, we have not received any official proposition for our players.

"In our minds, even at the end of the season, he will not be allowed to leave."
And the Bodmer seems of a similar mind:

"I feel indebted to Lille. It is the only club who came and got me when I was not even playing any more at Caen.

"The officials helped me to adapt.

"Of course, I am flattered by all the interest."

"My start at Caen, then a stay in a Ligue 1 club, more or less big. Then a transfer with a great French club would be much better.

"I see the number of players who leave straight away for abroad and who fail.

"I don't want to cut corners. So far, I can't see any interest in leaving now.

"I still have a lot of things to achieve here, at least until the end of the season.

"Then, it will be time to take stock with the officials."

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