Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Must Exploit Morgan Schneiderlin's Exit Desires

Missing out on Morgan Schneiderlin's potential summer signing may be counted among Arsenal's greater regrets of late, but the Southampton star has opened the door to a possible move in the future.

The Mirror's Alex Crook mentions the Gunners and north London rivals Tottenham as each being interested in the midfielder this summer, Schneiderlin quoted in saying a St. Mary's exit was close:

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My situation was simple: At the end of the season my goal was to take the next step and join a club playing in the Champions League or the UEFA Cup. I found an agreement to join another club that wasn't in the Champions League. I really did want to make a new start. There were offers on the table but Southampton made a clear choice, which was to keep me after the departure of certain players. They look to me for the future.

I was 'blocked' but I must accept that because I have three years remaining on my contract. I could not afford to make a fuss and not play. I owe a lot to Southampton, who enabled me to make the France national team. I could not afford to go and clash with supporters who have always been cool with me. It would not have cool for me to end up in an endless showdown.

"

Given the honesty of Schneiderlin's comments, it would appear the Frenchman is still favourable toward a transfer away from England's south coast.

What's more, it bodes well for the Gunners that he would be willing to settle for a destination not housing Champions League football, an advantage that Arsene Wenger's side is capable of offering.

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Despite such distractions, Schneiderlin's attentions remain focused on the Saints, and once again he's stuck out as a key performer for the team so far this season. His two goals in three games and a passing accuracy of 87 percent makes for impressive reading, per Squawka, showing an amicable professionalism in his work.

In the end, Spurs purchased an alternative anchoring recruit in Benjamin Stambouli, WhoScored.com comparing the two players over the past 12 months:

It's by no means the outright key to any deal, but a player's desire to depart for pastures new is undoubtedly a bonus for any suitors.

That being said, the Saints have sold off a heap of other assets in Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw, meaning their position on Schneiderlin may be all the tougher now.

As the season wears on, Wenger is likely to find his resources in the middle of the park being drained, with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky doing their best to maintain optimum fitness.

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Last term, the blows of seeing Ramsey and Wilshere sit out differing periods on the sidelines blighted their season, which started so positively but was eventually brought into disarray as a result of those absences.

A tough-tackling midfielder remains on the list of priorities for the manager. And while Wenger isn't known to be a fan of doing significant business in January, Schneiderlin's hope to move on may provide the window of opportunity needed to thrust him into action.