Green light for Arsenal! Tiote demands Newcastle exit

Cheick Tiote has piled more pressure onto under-fire boss Alan Pardew after declaring he wants to leave Newcastle.

The 28-year-old midfielder has confessed he plans to move away from the Magpies in the January transfer window and confirmed he has already held talks with Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Tiote, who joined the Toon in August 2010 from Twente in a £3.5 million deal, was persuaded by Pardew to stay at St James' Park in the summer but it now looks likely he will leave the club.

He said: "I want to leave Newcastle - I need to look for a new challenge.

"I will focus on the upcoming games but let's see what happens.

"It's true there's been contact for me from Arsenal. A club in Russia is also keen - but I prefer to stay in England."