Benedikt Howedes Will Delay Move to Arsenal

Arsenal will be forced to wait to sign Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes after the German World Cup winner pledged his immediate future to the Bundesliga club.

The 26-year old has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners, who are seeking a new defender following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona.

But while Howedes has admitted he does want to leave the club in the future, Arsenal will be forced to look at alternative targets after the centre-back committed himself to Schalke.

"There are always rumours in football, especially when you have won the World Cup as a player," he said. "I am definitely not after such rumours at the moment.

"I am facing my responsibilities as a player of Schalke. I have played for Schalke since I was 13 years old and would not have been here so long if I did not love the club.

"Of course, I have said that it would be flattering to move abroad one day in the future – to learn a new language, to get used to a different club and new surroundings - but there is plenty of time for that."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made no secret of his desire to sign a new defender following the loss of Vermaelen, though he does have new signing Calum Chambers in his ranks.

Chambers is expected to take on a central role with Arsenal this season with Per Mertesacker currently out injured and Wenger had hinted he would entrust the 19-year old with the responsibility of marshalling the back-four over a longer period.

"For a 19-year-old he had an outstanding performance [against Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley]," stated Wenger. "The kind of performance he delivered is very promising.

"It's impressive because he hasn't got a long history in this position because he was a right back and I think if all goes well he has a good career in front of him.

"He can challenge both centre backs and that's what you want. You cannot play with two centre backs the whole season; that means he will play."