Arsenal midfielder target Moussa Sissoko insists he is happy at Newcastle United

Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko insists that he is happy at the club, despite interest from Arsenal.

The French midfielder has been in impressive form this season and that has attracted the attention of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and reports suggested that the north London club were pondering a £15m move for the player.

The French manager is on the market for a box-to-box midfielder and has been linked with various players, like Yohan Cabaye and Sami Khedira in recent months, but Sissoko's form in the Premier League for Newcastle has impressed Wenger.

The 25-year-old midfielder has also recently admitted that growing up, his idol was Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and that he still is a big fan of the Gunners. That has led to many reports linking him with a move to the Emirates Stadium in the upcoming January transfer window.

However, Sissoko has rubbished those reports after insisting that he is very happy with the role he is playing for the Magpies this season. He hopes to continue growing and improving his game further.

"The coach considers me an important part of the group, particularly because of my international status an equally down to my good performances for the team since arriving at Newcastle," Sissoko said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"I am very happy with where I am right now. Sometimes I have even been handed the captain's armband, and thus I am very satisfied with my role here."

"I try to be my best in each match to make the best impression possible, and I hope to be continue progressing in order to go even further," the French international midfielder added.

But Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is aware that the big clubs have noticed his star player following his top quality performances this season and despite not having any contact yet, he is aware that he will be powerless to stop a player from leaving if a club comes with a big offer.

"We have not had contact from anybody else or heard from anybody else. He is playing for a club where big clubs have come before and taken players away," Pardew said.

"I understand that, so therefore I guess he is a player they will be looking at. That's all I can say because he has been terrific for us," the Magpies boss explained.