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Howedes dismisses Arsenal talk

Schalke captain Benedikt Howedes has ruled out the possibility of a move to Arsenal this summer.

- Tottenham see off Schalke in friendly

Howedes, 26, played every minute in Brazil as Germany secured their fourth World Cup this summer. The centre-back was converted into a surprise left-back by Joachim Low and played an important role for the side, despite receiving some criticism from the media.

Howedes' performances at the World Cup have attracted attention from a number of Premier League clubs.

While under contract at Schalke until 2017, the defender reportedly has a release clause in his contract which was signed in March 2013.

Earlier this week, the Daily Telegraph linked Howedes with a switch to Arsenal. However, speaking to reporters in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, the Germany international said his job at Schalke is not finished just yet.

"There will always be rumours, especially when you have won the World Cup," he said.

"I have not directly heard from those clubs, but my management does not tell me everything anyway.

"Currently, I don't get too busy with it. I know that I have responsibilities here."

Howedes, however, did not rule out a move away from Schalke in the future.

"If I did not love Schalke, I would not have been here for 13 years now," he said.

"But I have also said that it would be tempting to play abroad one day and learn a new language, have a different surrounding and settle at a new club.

"I leave it open for now when this will be. It does not have to happen now, and also not next year."

Howedes nearly opened the scoring in the World Cup final against Argentina with only a few minutes left in the first half, only for his header to come back off the post.

"That would have been something," he said of the chance. "At half-time I thought, 'how could I not sink that one.' Even after the match I thought about it a number of times.

"When Mario Gotze scored [the winner], tears rushed into my eyes and I had to suppress them. There was still a bit of time left on the clock. But the feeling of relief in this moment was indescribable."