Given talks Arsenal link

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has poured scorn on reports that he could be set to leave the Magpies and join Arsenal this summer. The Gunners are reportedly in the market for another goalkeeper after Jens Lehmann left to return to his homeland.

"I've been with Newcastle since 1997 and I'll soon be getting a Geordie twang. It's a great football club with fantastic fans, so I have no reason to leave," he told The Irish Daily Mail.

"I have three years left on my contract and I am very settled in the North East. I see myself staying at Newcastle for the rest of my career," added the Irish international keeper, who says he is finally getting over the effects of a stubborn groin injury which kept him out of much of last season.

"The rehab is going great and I'm feeling great," Given added. "I've been keeping fit and training hard since my groin operation and in a couple of weeks I'll be able to join up with Newcastle again for the start of pre-season."