Inler happy to stay at Udinese

Udinese Calcio’s Swiss international Gokhan Inler has declared that he is not bitter about having to stay at Udinese after English giants’ Arsenal and Liverpool failed in their bids to secure his services.

The Switzerland international, who made his debut in 2006 and has been capped 23 times, will start for Udinese against newly-promoted Parma on Sunday for a third season in a row at Udine based club.

“I am absolutely not disappointed to have remained at Udinese,” said Inler.

“I still have a four-year contract and I am happy to be in Udine.

“For me it is a great honour to play at Udinese.”

The 25-year-old Inler is hopeful that his team can return to European football next season with after the club narrowly missed out on the continental competition with a seventh-placed finish in Serie A last term.

“Our aim is to finish in the top six,” he said. “But we have to take it one game at a time.

“The team has remained more or less that of last season and hence, we have an advantage with respect to other teams in that we have the same coach and that we know each other well.”

The Bianconeri have strengthened their attacking line following the departure of striker Fabio Quagliarella to Napoli earlier this summer.

Experienced forward Bernardo Corradi, a former Parma player, joined the Friuli outfit from Reggina, while 20-year-old Brazilian striker Jose Carlos Alemao has also arrived in Udine.

With Udinese having kept last seasons top scorers Antonio Di Natale and Gaetano D’Agostino, Inler believes his team have every reason to be confident.

“We have a strong attacking line and Im sure the new players will do well,” he said.

“The aim of this group is to enjoy a good start and against Parma we want to clinch three points.”