Gilberto denies Arsenal exit talk

Gilberto has struggled for first-team football so far this season

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva insists he is not thinking about leaving the London club.

The 31-year-old's Brazilian's future had been cast in doubt because he has failed to secure a regular first-team place so far this season.

However, he said: "I'm not thinking about leaving the club. I have always said I am happy at Arsenal.

"Of course, my situation is not comfortable in all the games but I still don't think about leaving."

He added: "I will do my job and my best to get back into the team."

Recent reports suggested Gilberto was so unhappy at being left out of the side that he refused to play at centre-back for manager Arsene Wenger.

606: DEBATE What do you think of Gilberto's pledge to stay?

But Gilberto stated: "It's not true. If I have said something to Arsene it would never come out in the papers.

"I would go to him and speak to him face to face. We have great respect for each other.

"The only thing I can say is this is not true. Everyone knows I'm not 100% happy to be on the bench, that's normal.

"But I'm being professional and doing my job. I respect everybody in the squad, I respect him and I respect his decision. It's the only thing I can do."

Gilberto has been kept out of the side because Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini have formed an impressive central midfield partnership to help steer Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners have also qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, with two group games to spare.

Gilberto, who has been linked with a move to Spain or Italy, has 18 months left on his current deal and is not thinking further ahead than that.

"It would be great if I could extend my contract with the club and finish my career here," he revealed.

"But I need to see if the club has the same feeling and if it wants the same thing as I want."