For the first time since the summer transfer window closed, Julian Draxler has spoken about speculation which linked him with a move away from Wolfsburg.

The 23-year-old has often been strongly linked with a switch to the Emirates stadium ever since he broke into Schalke’s first team a couple of years ago.

Draxler was once again reportedly odds-on to join the Gunners this summer after he submitted a request to leave Wolfsburg.

However, the possible transfer to Arsenal failed to happen and the German international claims it was because his current club blocked the move.

“I did not get the chance to switch clubs because Wolfsburg did not allow me to leave,” Draxler told Kicker.

“There was a lot of speculation during the summer and some things were true, while others were false. There will likely be more speculation in January, but I will not initiate anything.

“I am only human and what has happened has not left me unaffected. Football is business, though, and you have to focus on the task at hand. It is not always easy, but I know what’s expected from me. I will work hard to do just that.

“We had some differences of opinion, but we have set those apart. There is no issue any more. Of course, it is not easy to forget what happened in the summer, but that is now in the past.”

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