Hoyte staying put

Arsenal full-back Justin Hoyte is determined to stay at the Emirates Stadium, despite finding his opportunities limited this season.

The 22-year-old has lost his place at right-back to Bacary Sagna and has featured only three times for Arsene Wenger in the current campaign.

Hoyte’s appearances have come in cup competitions, and the defender has been linked with a move to seek regular first-team football elsewhere – but he insists he will stay to fight for his place.

“Of course, I want to stay at the club and fight,” he told Arsenal.com.

“I want to be an Arsenal player. You never know what can happen in football. But I know I am going to knuckle down, train hard, work hard and perform when I get my chance.”

Hoyte has declared himself ready should the Premier League leaders’ squad get stretched.

He added: “It is tough at the moment because the team is doing so well, and a few players are not getting into the team. It’s up to us to take our chance if there is an injury.

“It is frustrating, but I am a professional and need to behave that way and focus on the job in hand.”