Antonio Rudiger brushes off Chelsea transfer attention by revealing desire to play for Arsenal... the team his 'heart beats for'
- Highly rated centre-back Antonio Rudiger targeted by Arsenal and Chelsea
- The Germany defender has followed Arsenal since Dennis Bergkamp's era
- Arsene Wenger often criticised for not buying a defender in the summer
Germany and Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger has dealt Chelsea's hopes of signing him a major blow by revealing 'his heart beats for Arsenal'.
The highly rated centre-back has been linked with both London clubs, but the 21-year-old announced he has dreamed of turning out for the Gunners since the Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry era.
'I have been following Arsenal since the days of Henry and Bergkamp,' Rudiger is quoted in The Express as saying.
Antonio Rudiger (above) said he wants to play for Arsenal and has been a fan since Thierry Henry was there
Germany defender Rudiger (right)is regarded as one of the most promising defenders in Europe
'I have always dreamed of the Premier League. I watch videos of Arsenal all the time on YouTube and I often wear the current Alexis Sanchez shirt.
'My heart beats for Arsenal.'
Rudiger has played four times for Germany, and would be welcomed by Arsenal supporters who have criticised manager Arsene Wenger for not signing a central defender in the summer.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (above) has been criticised for not signing a central defender in the summer
Stuttgart have made an indifferent start to their Bundesliga season, and are currently 15th in the table.
But Rudiger has been one of their most impressive performers, establishing himself as one of the most promising defenders on the continent and that could entice Wenger into making a bid in January.
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