Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci believes his long-term future lies away from the club, stating that he could leave during the January transfer window.

After moving to the Emirates in 2010, the 32-year-old centre-back has made just 40 first-team appearances for the club spread over the course of two-and-a-half seasons, with only a solitary Champions League outing to show for his efforts so far this campaign.

The France international believes the main reason for the lack of first-team opportunities coming his way is due solely to the tough competition for places, insisting that he still shares a positive relationship with manager Arsene Wenger, despite his desire for a move away to a new club.

“With [Laurent] Koscielny, [Per] Mertesacker, [Thomas] Vermaelen and [Johan] Djourou, the competition is fierce,” Squillaci told Vermatin.com.

“I played in the Champions League with Olympiakos. I have played five times for the reserves and I always train seriously.

“My relationship with Arsene Wenger is good. I remain as professional as possible.

“I will be out of contract at the end of the season. As things stand, I will leave, perhaps during the January transfer window or else in June.”

However, after winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles during a two-year stay at Lyon, Squillaci’s stock is still thought to be reasonably high back in his native France and he’s already earmarked a few clubs that would interest him when he finally decided to move.

He added: “Of course, playing in my home region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur is something that interests me.

“Marseille, Nice, Monaco, Bastia and Ajaccio are clubs who speak to me. I am 32, and I still have two or three good seasons left.

“I will make my choice depending on the opportunities that arrive.”