Diarra issues Christmas deadline to Arsenal boss Wenger

Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra admits he may seek a move away if he fails to break into Arsene Wenger's first team plans in the coming months.

Diarra was signed on transfer deadline day in August from Chelsea and told The Times: "For the moment, everything is going fine and I'm learning, but I cannot stay like this for ever.

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"I'm not going to wait for a year because I changed clubs in order to play. I'm not stupid. If I come to Arsenal and my situation is the same as at Chelsea, then I should have stayed at Chelsea. If I come to Arsenal, it's to play. In a few months, I'll have to decide what I want to do."

"I've played more games for my country than for my club, which is ridiculous," he said. "When I came to Chelsea, I was 19, so to wait for a year is OK, but when I'm playing for the French national team with the European Championship coming, I need to play regular football.

"I cannot stay like this, going to training but staying at home at weekends and sometimes playing in the Carling Cup. I cannot accept this now.

"When Wenger signed me, he knew the player I am. I've been in this kind of situation before, so it's not new to me.

"I've waited for a long time, but I'm 22 and cannot wait as I have in the past. I know Arsenal are a very good team, playing good football and top of the league, but I want to play.

"If I'm not playing by Christmas I may have to go somewhere else."