Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe has revealed he rejected a move to Arsenal in the summer over concerns about making the first team. Cheap Football Jerseys . The 24-year-old joined Monaco from Lille in July, but only after the Gunners failed with a late bid.He also stated his ambition to perform on the Premier League stage at the end of the current campaign. I was on the brink [of signing for Monaco] and [Arsenal] gave me a headache by making a bid at the last moment, he told Le Parisien.After reflecting on it, I was not certain my playing time would be guaranteed.I would have played maybe 25 games this season, including the cups. They also wanted to use me on the left whereas I want to establish myself on the right. No to Gunners Leicesters Riyad Mahrez confirms Arsenal approach I chose to stay in Ligue 1 and then leave for the Premier League next year because it is a competition that greatly appeals to me.Sidibe has started five of Monacos eight Ligue 1 games this season and scored after two minutes in the 4-1 win away to his former club.He has also featured five times in the Champions League.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Mahrez confirms Arsenal approach Wenger cools England link Arsenal can win treble Who would Griezmann best suit? Nike NFL Jerseys . -- Jake Peavy arrived at Bostons spring training complex on Monday with a large white bandage covering his left index finger, the result of a weekend accident. NFL Gear From China .C. -- Marcus Paige and his North Carolina teammates have endured so many wild swings -- big wins, surprising losses, NCAA drama -- that no one can blame their Hall of Fame coach for wondering whats next. http://www.jerseyschinanfl.com/ . -- Josh Smith made a 3-pointer as time expired and finished with 20 points to lift the Detroit Pistons to a 99-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night in both teams exhibition finale.DOHA, Qatar -- Ninth-seeded Ana Ivanovic of Serbia advanced to the second round of the Qatar Open on Tuesday after Slovakias Daniela Hantuchova retired from their match with a right knee injury. Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. But Ivanovic won the next four games to secure the set, winning the ninth game at love with her final three serves being aces. "She started really well, and I managed to get back into the set and break her back," Ivanovic said. "I played some really good tennis towards the end of that first set and then in the second." Wildcard entrant Alisa Kleybanova of Russia also advanced after her opponent retired. At 5-5 in the first set, 10th-seeded Dominika Cibulkova of Slovak Republic, the recent Australian Open finalist, retired from the match with a gastrointestinal illness. "I was really looking forward to playing this week in Doha," said Cibulkova, who was making her first tournamment appearance since becoming the first Slovakian to reach a Grand Slam final. Cheap NFL Shop. "Unfortunately I became very sick today and suddenly did not feel well. I wanted to give it a try today and I did everything I could to try to play, but I could not continue." Karin Knapp, who led Italy to a 3-1 Fed Cup victory over the United States in Cleveland at the weekend, was told she had to be in Doha to play a first round match on Tuesday. Knapp started her journey early Monday morning and after going from Cleveland to Washington DC, and then to Dubai, she landed in Doha on Tuesday in time to play her afternoon match. Knapp played impressive tennis to defeat Caroline Garcia of France 6-4, 6-1 straight off the plane. Four players who chose to skip playing the Fed Cup tie between the U.S. and Italy in order to get to Doha early -- Sloane Stephens, Francesca Schiavone, Roberta Vinci and Flavia Pennetta -- have all lost their first round matches. Elsewhere, American Bethanie Mattek-Sands upset 15th-seeded Eugenie Bouchard of Canada, a recent Australian Open semifinalist, 7-5, 6-1. ' ' '