Don't you just love it when a player thinks he's of a higher standard than where he is currently playing football?

Moussa Sissoko says he wants to leave Newcastle and is desperate to join "the beautiful Arsenal".

The France midfielder, part of the Newcastle squad relegated from the Premier League last season, has already told Rafa Benitez he does not want to play in the Championship.

And the dream scenario is to follow in the footsteps of his French idols at Arsenal - "the club of my heart".

Well that's just brilliant. Every Newcastle fan will want him gone, which is what he wants anyway. Arsenal have apparently looked at the player, but nothing has come from the Emirates and now he's alienated every other potential club with his "beautiful Arsenal" comment.

Well done - very clever, but you've just shot yourself in the foot. This has parity with Peter Odemwingie driving to QPR only for the transfer not to happen.

Speaking to Foot Mercato from France's training base ahead of EURO 2016, Sissoko said: "It is flattering that a coach like Benitez, a great coach, wants to keep me. But I think he is aware."

"I have reached a level where playing in the Championship would be difficult for me. I need to continue to evolve. I aspire to play for the greatest European clubs and to continue with the French national team.

Asked about reports he has been watched by Arsenal, the 26-year-old said: "It is very flattering. Arsenal is one of the best European teams. To be watched by that sort of club, that proves that you are a quality player."

"Everyone knows, I often said it when I was young, Arsenal is the club of my heart, because there were quite a few French players there like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira who was my idol…

"We will see. I cannot tell you if I am going to go to Arsenal. For the moment, I am focused on the French national team and the EUROs."

Sissoko has started 118 Premier League games since joining Newcastle from Toulouse in January 2013 and even captained the side a few times in the relegation season just gone.

Sissoko said he had already discussed the matter with his Newcastle manager, Benítez, and was optimistic there would be no problem with him departing.

Sissoko said: I think he knows that I have got to a level where playing in the Championship would be difficult for me. I want to continue my career in England, at a club that plays in the Champions League because I think this best fits my style of play.

“Arsenal is one of the best European clubs. Be followed by this kind of club, it’s good to know. I hope I will have a chance soon to play for this club or a similar club."

“I think few people would refuse to play for this club. The beautiful Arsenal. We’ll see."

“I have advisers who manage all this and I hope everything will go well with minimal difficulty for me to find another club.”

It's fairly obvious that the Frenchman will force a move away from St James' Park this summer, but what is upsetting is the way that the player has gone about it.

Moussa Sissoko wins this years award for Mr. Subtle 2016.

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