Virgil van Dijk in No Rush to Leave Celtic Despite Arsenal Interest

Celtic centre half Virgil van Dijk has hailed Arsenal as an "amazing club" amid reported interest from the Gunners, but insists he is focusing on his football with the Scottish champions.

Arsene Wenger confirmed at the club's AGM meeting earlier this month that he will sign a centre half during the January transfer window.

The Gunners have been beset by injury problems, particularly in defence, this season and those woes look likely to continue with Laurent Koscielny facing at least a month on the sidelines.

Dutchman van Dijk was reportedly sounded out by the Gunners during the summer transfer window but Celtic stood firm, with their qualification for the Europa League playing a role in his decision to stay.

Should the Premier League side renew their interest in the New Year van Dijk hinted he will consider his options, but insists he is in "no rush" to leave Ronny Deila's side.

"Arsenal is an amazing club, it's a big club with a great history as well," van Dijk told Sky Sports. "But, as I said, I am very happy right now here and I just want to play games with Celtic and we will see what happens in the future.

"I have a contract and there is no bidding right now," he added. "I am ambitious like every player but Celtic is amazing club with an amazing history, an amazing stadium and amazing fans.

"There is no rush to leave but you never know in the future."

Wenger's failure to bring in another centre half following the departure of Thomas Vermaelen has contributed to their poor start of the season, where the club have only managed to win two of their opening eight Premier League games.

Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers represent the manager's only first choice centre halves for the next four games after ruling out Koscielny while the club assess an achilles problem.

"I can't give you any date," Wenger told a press conference on Friday when asked of the France international.

According to his manager's prognosis, Koscielny will miss Saturday's game against Sunderland, the visits of Burnley and Anderlecht and the trip to Swansea City on 9 November. Arsenal's first game back after the next international break is against Manchester United on 22 November.