Marco Reus Reluctant to Discuss Arsenal Speculation Ahead of Scotland Clash

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal.

The Germany international will remain at Dortmund at least until January 2015 but a release clause of €25m (£20m) that becomes active at the end of the season suggests he is likely to continue being linked with moves away from the Westfalenstadion.

Arsenal and Manchester United have been relentlessly linked with a move for Reus for over a year, while Atletico Madrid club president Enrique Cerezo revealed his team saw an offer rejected during the summer transfer window.

On a frantic transfer deadline day, reports suggested Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had not given up hope of luring the 25-year-old to the Emirates.

But amid persistent rumours regarding his future, Reus refused to comment on reports linking him with the Premier League ahead of Germany's European Championship qualifier against Scotland on Sunday 7 September.

"I believe there has been much speculation," Reus told reporters, ESPN report. "But we are at the Nationalmannschaft [German national team] here and it [talk of his future] just does not belong here.

Reus is back in the national team after missing Germany's World Cup triumph through injury. The Dortmund star started in the friendly in Dusseldorf on 3 September, where the champions were crushed 4-2 by Argentina.

With that hammering in mind, Reus is aware his side must show swift improvement in their Group D opener against Gordon Strachan's Scotland or risk a shock.

"Scotland have not lost for six games and are a strong team with a fighting spirit," Reus was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"They close down spaces quickly and so we will need patience and to be much better than against Argentina.

"We need to be more effective in front of goal. Scotland are strong, they have a leader in Darren Fletcher, they are very quick in attack. What is needed from us is patience and we are fully aware of that."