Sagna in talks on new Arsenal deal

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has confirmed he is in talks to extend his contract, but he has not ruled out a return to France.



Sagna, 30, is entering into the final season of his current deal at the Emirates Stadium, and so could become a free agent this time next year and agree a lucrative Bosman transfer.



Big-spending pair Paris St Germain and Monaco are said to be monitoring the situation, but former Auxerre defender Sagna, who has twice recovered from broken leg, hinted he would be happy to stay on at Arsenal if an agreement can be brokered.



Speaking to L'Equipe, Sagna said: "There are [talks], but I still haven't extended my contract. "I am talking, and I am not at a bad club either." When asked whether he could return to play in France, Sagna, who is currently on international duty, added: "It is possible. "We would have to see in which conditions and, in sporting terms, what they propose. I won't go just anywhere. "If I stay at Arsenal, I will try to have a good season, there's the World Cup at the end of it. "If I am to leave, it will be a new challenge."

Arsenal pair to return

Arsenal expect to have goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski (rib) and full-back (hip) available for Tuesday's Premier League clash against Wigan at Emirates Stadium.

Striker Olivier Giroud serves the final game of his three-match suspension after being shown a straight red card in the win at Fulham.

Midfielder Abou Diaby remains a long-term absentee with a knee problem.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will select from the same FA Cup-winning squad he took to Wembley at the weekend when he returns to London to face Arsenal.

The Latics boss is concerned about fatigue after a physically and emotionally draining final at Wembley and could freshen up the starting line-up.

Midfielder Jean Beausejour and defender Adrian Lopez could return for Sunday's final match of the season at home to Aston Villa.

Wenger committed to Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has no plans to leave ‘Arsenal like a thief in the night’ and will see out the remainder of his contract with the Gunners.



Wenger has been mentioned as a possible successor to Carlo Ancelotti at Paris Saint-Germain, should the Italian make the switch to Real Madrid in the summer, but he has continually denied rumours surrounding his future.



The Frenchman still has another year to run on his current deal at the Emirates and, while he is an admirer of PSG, he insists he has not spoken to the Ligue 1 club about the possibility of taking over from Ancelotti.



“I’ve not had any contact with PSG. I won’t leave Arsenal like a thief in the night. I’ll respect my contract through to 2014,”Wenger told beIN Sport.



“I’ve followed their season. They have built their success through a kind of individual superiority and a collective one which they discovered via the Champions League. It’s been quite tough for them in Ligue 1.



“As for me, I have a contract with Arsenal, where I’ve been for 17 years, and I don’t see myself leaving the club like a thief and not respecting my contract.”

Giroud reveals link to Bayern

Olivier Giroud has revealed he was a target for Bayern Munich in the summer but is happy to be at Arsenal.

The France international striker saw a potential move to the UEFA Champions League finalists fall through after Mario Mandzukic caught the eye at Euro 2012.



But the former Montpellier man has no regrets about the fact that he subsequently joined the Gunners because he is enjoying life in the Premier League.



Asked if he had been in touch with Bayern, Giroud was quoted in The Sun as saying:

"Not directly but my agent was and it was validated by Bayern.



"They wanted time to watch the Euros and Mandzukic had a good tournament.



"The fact I was wooed by Arsenal is good. I'm very happy here. English football is what I hoped for.



"The people live, eat and sleep football here."

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Wenger rules out PSG

Arsene Wenger has dismissed speculation linking him with Paris Saint-Germain by insisting he still loves his job at Arsenal.

Wenger has faced criticism this season after the Gunners again failed to land a trophy and his relationship with the fans has been strained by a string of dismal results.

Reports suggested the Frenchman could cut short his lengthy spell at Arsenal and link-up with Paris Saint-Germain before his contract runs out in 2014.

But Wenger has ruled out a return to his home country as he remains passionate about his job at the Emirates and hopes to even extend his reign.

When asked about his future, he said:

"I answered that question already. I respect my contracts. Football excites me...my love for this club excites me."

Questioned about a possible new deal, Wenger added:

"I want to stay if I do well, if the club considers I do well."

Arsenal will be hoping to maintain their push for a Champions League place on Saturday with a win over QPR, who were relegated last weekend, but Wenger refuses to write off the west Londoners.

"Every game gives you a different problem. Everybody is really focused and wants to do well," he said.

"All their recent games have been tight. We want to make sure this little percentage goes for us.

"It can happen that they play with less pressure and less fear [after being relegated]."

Arsenal will end their difficult campaign on a high if they finish in the top four and Wenger insists that progress has been made.

"Since January, we have become stronger and stronger. That's important going into next season," he said.

"We had to rebuild the team in the last two seasons. We have moved forward in the second part of this season considerably.

"I want this club to do well. We have gone through a sensitive period but I believe the club is in a good position for the future.

"I do my job with a lot of commitment and a lot of loyalty. I try to do as best as I can for this club."

Wenger: Cazorla should have been in team of the year

Arsene Wenger believes Santi Cazorla deserved to be included in this season’s PFA Team of the Year.



Cazorla’s debut season with the Gunners has seen the Spaniard feature in every Premier League game, netting 12 times with seven assists, but he was overlooked for the Team of the Year.



Wenger was surprised the Spanish playmaker did not feature as he feels he fully deserved to be included.



“I am sure he must have been very close to be in there. In my opinion he deserved to be there based on the consistency and quality of his performances,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.



“And then there are the number of chances and assists he created. I think he deserved to be in there.”



Wenger has been impressed with Cazorla since his arrival from Malaga last summer but admits he has been amazed at his stamina during the season.



“I’ll tell you something – if you count the number of training sessions he has missed it will be similar to that [the games he has missed],” he said.



“I can’t remember the number of sessions where he had an injury. His consistency has been remarkable for the games and the training sessions. And one might explain the other one.



“I was not aware of it [Cazorla's stamina before he signed],” added Wenger. “I did check the number of games he played but I was not aware that he would have such stamina in the Premier League.



“I expected him to miss more games because the league is very tough physically. The duels are tough. It shows he has a remarkable body but it shows he is intelligent as well because he knows where to go [on the pitch].”

Vela claims return to Arsenal could happen

Carlos Vela admits that he could return to Arsenal despite leaving the Gunners for Real Sociedad in 2012.



The Mexican's permanent move to the Basque club followed a year-long loan spell where he notched 12 goals in 35 appearances.



This season he has added a further 13 goals in La Liga, in stark contrast to a meagre return of three Premier League goals in a six-year stay at Arsenal that was punctuated by loans at Salamanca, Osasuna and West Brom as well as Sociedad.



Vela's form has prompted speculation over a clause in his contract that would allow Arsenal to buy the 24-year-old back.



But while claiming that a move would be possible, Vela is determined to help Socieded, currently fourth in La Liga, into next season's UEFA Champions League.



"Going back to Arsenal? It could happen at any moment, but I don't want to think about it," he told L'Equipe.



"My life is at Real Sociedad, and it is with that shirt that I want to play in the Champions League next season."


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Monday's round up of the top transfer rumours

- Arsenal and Liverpool look set to miss out on Isaac Cuenca once more after the Spanish starlet revealed his desire to spend another season at Ajax.



- Liverpool are stepping up interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori, according to DailyMail.



- Robert Lewandowski’s agent has claimed a move to England this summer remains ‘unlikely’ despite recent reports suggesting something to the contrary.



- Manchester City believe they are winning the battle to sign Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, according to the Sunday Mirror.



- And Man City are also ready to enter the race to sign Lewandowski, according to the Daily Star Sunday.



- Manchester City face a battle with Juventus to clinch the signing of Sampdoria midfielder Pedro Obiang at the end of the season.



- Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has insisted that he will not be moving back to Boca Juniors this summer.



- Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City's director of football, has met the agent of Manuel Pellegrini, the Málaga coach who is a favoured option to replace Roberto Mancini should the Italian leave the club, according to The Guardian.



- Arsenal have opened preliminarily talks with Lyon over midfielder Maxime Gonalons after making him their number one summer transfer target, according to Metro.



- Sunderland want to sign on-loan left-back Danny Rose permanently and will offer his parent club Tottenham Hotspur around £8m for his services, according to the Metro.



- Tottenham are stepping up their interest in Spanish striker Roberto Soldado, according to the Mail on Sunday.



- Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has remained coy over reports linking him with Real Betis midfielder Jose Canas.



- West Ham United have seen off competition from Marseille to sign Romania's captain, Razvan Rat, on a three-year contract, according to The Guardian.



- Stoke midfielder Maurice Edu may make his loan switch from England to Turkey a permanent move.



- Queens Park Rangers defender Christopher Samba has admitted that he was not ready for the rigours of the Premier League when he agreed to join the club in January.



- Esteban Granero insists he wants to stay at QPR and tough it out in the Championship.



- QPR have begun their rebuilding process for next season by releasing youngster Bradley Simmonds.



- Tony Fernandes launched a scathing attack on his highly paid Queens Park Rangers flops on Monday as he confirmed Harry Redknapp will remain as the club’s manager.



- Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has pledged his future to the club amid interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.



- Juventus general director Beppe Marotta has confirmed the club are keen on Arjen Robben and Alexis Sanchez.



- Geoffrey Kondogbia has snubbed interest from Manchester City and Arsenal to declare his intention to join Real Madrid.



- Arsenal target Julian Draxler has emphatically dismissed rumours he will join Borussia Dortmund next season.



- Former Germany international Patrick Owomoyela does not expect his contract with Borussia Dortmund to be extended beyond the end of the season.



- Galatasaray have added Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy to their summer transfer wishlist, according to DailyMail.



- Galatasaray have less than 24 hours to complete the permanent signing of Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo.



- Anzhi Makhachkala have denied reports that they are set to sign Felipe Santana from Borussia Dortmund.



- Marco van Ginkel has refused to dismiss speculation over his future, as he continues to be linked with a move to one of the giants of the Eredivisie.



- Bristol Rovers winger Joe Anyinsah will leave the Memorial Stadium this summer when his contract expires.



- Derby have offered Ben Davies a new contract, with the midfielder's current deal due to expire in the summer.



- Richard Wood heads a five-strong list of out-of-contract players released by Coventry.



- York City striker Jason Walker has confirmed he will leave the club this summer, while Matty Blair also appears set to leave.



- York City striker Jason Walker admits he would be interested in a move to Rotherham.



- Plymouth chairman James Brent expects John Sheridan to sign a new deal after Argyle secured their safety on the final day.



- Carlisle have released seven first-team players, including long-serving defender Peter Murphy.



- Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore is hopeful of extending goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams' stay at Prenton Park.



- And have offered new contracts to five players, with the same number told they can leave Prenton Park.



- Neal Trotman and Danny Whitaker are among seven players released by Chesterfield boss Paul Cook.



- Zoumana Bakayogo will take his time before deciding on his next move after seeing out his contract at Tranmere Rovers.



- Morecambe defender Will Haining will part ways with the League Two club this summer.

Vela keen on Real Sociedad stay

Real Sociedad forward Carlos Vela does not want Arsenal to trigger the €4 million buy-back clause in his current contract as he looks to achieve a top-four finish, and UEFA Champions League football, at the Estádio Anoeta, according to ESPN FC.



Vela, who joined the Gunners from Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara in 2005, has spent the past two seasons in San Sebastián after failing to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Emirates Stadium.



During his time at Arsenal, Vela was also sent out on loan to UD Salamanca (2006-2007), CA Osasuna (2007-2008) and West Bromwich Albion (2011).



The 24-year-old bagged a team-high 12 goals and seven assists in 35 league matches while on loan at Sociedad in 2011-12, convincing La Real to pay Arsenal €3.5 million to sign the player on a permanent basis.



As part of the agreement, the Gunners have the right to re-purchase Vela for just €4 million, but the Mexican forward hopes to stay at Real Sociedad.



“It could happen at any time, but I don’t want to think about it,” Vela told L’Equipe. “My life is here, and it’s wearing this shirt that I want to discover European football next year.”



In addition, Vela expressed his preference for the Spanish game as opposed to English football.



“It’s physical, and too direct. I prefer possession football and playing it on the floor,” added the Mexico international.



“Because I’m purely left-footed and can’t do anything with my right, I was often stuck out on the left wing, and my main task on the pitch was to send crosses in. Now, I play all over the place, even on the right, and I arrive in front of goal on my good foot.”



Vela has tallied 13 goals and eight assists in 30 La Liga matches for Real Sociedad thus far this season.

RVP told to ignore boo boys

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Robin van Persie to ignore the Arsenal boo-boys when he returns to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.



Van Persie completed a controversial £24million switch from Arsenal to Manchester United in the summer and has proved the major difference in this season's title race, taking his tally to 24 Premier League goals with Monday's hat-trick against Aston Villa.



But his appearance in north London this weekend is unlikely to go down well given he will soon be collecting the championship winners' medal he did not feel was realistic at Arsenal.



And though Arsene Wenger has confirmed his players will form a guard of honour in tribute to United's achievement, Van Persie's presence is bound to antagonise a section of the long-suffering Gunners support, who have now gone eight seasons since their team last won a trophy.



Under such circumstances, Ferguson's advice is for Van Persie not to allow the baiting to get to him.

"I don't bother about it, and I don't think Robin should bother about it either," said Ferguson.



"There was a bit of booing when he played at Old Trafford and I expect a portion of fans will do that.



"That is the modern generation I am afraid.



"For Arsenal to have one of their players go to their biggest rivals of the last 20 years doesn't sit well with their fans, nor Arsene for that matter.



"But it does happen. You just have to move on. Arsenal have moved on now. They are challenging for a Champions League place and have every chance of getting one."

Van Persie's contribution to the United cause can hardly be overstated.



Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has repeated countless times the Dutchman has been the major difference in this season's battle for honours.



His brilliant volley against Villa had the hallmark of class stamped all over it.



And, after taking such a leap of faith by joining United, Ferguson could see how much winning the title meant to Van Persie when the final whistle blew.

"It showed in his celebrations, not just after he had scored the goals but at the end of the match," said Ferguson.



"We had a few players who were winning it for the first time but he was celebrating better than the others."

And evidently, Van Persie's team-mates are equally delighted for the striker, who has more than lived up to the star billing he was granted upon his arrival last August.

"I don't know if he has exceeded expectations," said Ryan Giggs.



"We all knew what he was capable of but sometimes you don't realise just by playing against someone how good they actually are.



"When you train with them every day and play with them every week it is different.



"That has definitely been the case with Robin. We knew about his goalscoring. But it is his all-round play. He has been absolutely brilliant. Long may that continue."

With Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck keen to play some part and Tom Cleverley in contention to fill a midfield berth that could release Wayne Rooney into a more advanced position, there is an outside chance Van Persie might not start on Sunday.



Ferguson has vowed to play a strong side though out of respect to Arsenal's fellow top-four contenders Tottenham and Chelsea.



However, he acknowledged with gratitude Arsene Wenger's confirmation United will be afforded a guard of honour as they make their way onto the pitch.

"I am glad Arsene has done that," said the Scot.



"When they came to Old Trafford in 2002 and Sylvain Wiltord scored the only goal, we did exactly the same," he said.



"That is what great clubs should do."

Wenger calls for respect for former star

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that the Gunners will respect former player Robin van Persie on his return to the Emirates on Sunday.



The Dutchman left the club last season after eight years service at the club, and it was his hat-trick on Monday night that saw Manchester United crowned English league champions for the 20th time.



Monday’s achievement means that Arsenal will clap United onto the pitch before the game in a guard of honour, which is likely to anger the fans, who are still bitter over the van Persie affair.



Poznan



Rumours circulating on Twitter last night suggested that Arsenal fans will do a Manchester City style ‘Poznan’ when United walk onto to the pitch. Take a look at the video below which shows Arsenal imitating the Poznan last year in a 1-0 victory over Man City.



Wenger however has stated that the £24million man will not be disrespected by his former employees.

“We will respect the players that have played for us a long time as we always have done and treat them well before and after the game,” Wenger said, as reported by The Independent.



“As a champion or not as a champion it is exactly the same. What I want is for us to have a good game and to beat them, it doesn’t matter what kind of status they come with.”

Arsenal must be careful not to be distracted by the return of the Flying Dutchman, as a victory is needed to keep themselves in the top four.



Focus

“Their players are of the highest level, you can’t just focus on one player because their team is full of players who can create and score,” Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal said, as reported by the newspaper.



“We must be on our guard and be aware of certain key players, like Robin, who has scored a sack of goals this year and is playing well. He is one of their main threats."

Wenger's Chelsea fears

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he is "afraid" of Chelsea's potential summer spending spree in the transfer market under a new manager.



Chelsea are expected to appoint a new manager at the end of the season with interim boss Rafa Benitez unlikely to stay on at Stamford Bridge and Blues owner Roman Abramovich is likely to give his new manager substantial funds to bolster the squad.



Wenger is expecting big moves from Chelsea in the transfer market with the likes of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao strongly linked with a transfer and the Gunners chief fears how strong their London rivals could become with more additions in the summer



"I'm afraid of what Chelsea can do in the summer," the Frenchman told Eurosport.



"We have to be prepared for them to be one of the biggest movers in terms of investment once the window opens.



"Even though they already have a great base to their squad, notably their young players such as Oscar, Juan Mata, Ramires and Eden Hazard, I think they will be busy during the transfer window.



"We've heard a lot of talk about Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao. Some people say it's already a done deal, but I've heard nothing."



Wenger also admitted Jose Mourinho would be a good choice to return to the Chelsea managerial hot seat even though he feels Benitez has done a good job at Stamford Bridge.



"I think Chelsea currently have a great coach in Rafa Benitez, but if they part ways at the end of season, of course Jose Mourinho would be a good solution for Chelsea," added Wenger.



"Mourinho is one of the best in the world. But I consider Benitez to be doing a good job at Stamford Bridge."

Giroud feels ban 'very harsh'

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud believes it is 'very harsh' that he must serve a three-match suspension following his red card in the victory over Fulham.



The French forward was issued with his marching orders in the 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday for a last-minute tackle on Stanislav Manolev.



Arsenal's appeal against the mandatory ban was rejected by the Football Association and Giroud must now sit out three of the Gunners' final four games as they battle to secure a top-four finish.



And the £13million summer signing from Montpellier was left flabbergasted by the decision to uphold the original verdict.



Giroud said: "I was very surprised at the verdict as my action was unintentional.



"It does not hurt me but the rules in England are really very harsh. Very harsh indeed."


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Monreal looks beyond RVP

Arsenal defender is hoping Sunday's game with Premier League champions Manchester United will not be all about Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman returns to the Emirates having left to join United in the summer in a £24m deal, with some Gunners' fans still angry at his departure.

Van Persie has been a huge success at old Trafford, scoring 28 goals to help Sir Alex Ferguson's side reclaim the title from rivals Manchester City, with Monday night's 3-0 win over Aston Villa securing the crown.

But with Arsenal still chasing points to secure their place in the Champions League for the 16th season in a row, Spain left-back Monreal is keen for his side to steal the limelight from Van Persie.

"Teams like Manchester United don't just have gifted wingers, they have a squad with a lot of depth," said Monreal.

"Their players are of the highest level, you can't just focus on one player because their team is full of players who can create and score.

"We must be on our guard and be aware of certain key players, like Robin, who has scored a sack of goals this year and is playing well. He is one of their main threats.

"They are one of the biggest teams in England and they are having an exceptional season.

"It is one of those games every player wants to be involved in, but there are three points at stake and that is what we are aiming for.

"They may be a very strong opponent, but we are also a very good team and can win the match."

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud misses the game as he begins a three-match suspension after being sent off in their 1-0 win over Fulham.

The Gunners decided to appeal the red card for the Frenchman's challenge on defender Stanislav Manolev but it was rejected by the FA on Tuesday and manager Arsene Wenger admits he was unhappy with the decision.

"It is a blow that we cannot have him available. We will have to do without him and we will do it," said Wenger.

"It is a harsh decision. After the game, I was a little bit less convinced that he didn't deserve the red card, but having seen it again, I feel it is completely accidental and a very minor incident.

"That is why I decided to appeal. I am sad that it didn't work, but we have to cope with it."

Arsenal target set to stay put

Arsenal will have to wait to sign Victor Valdes after Barcelona said they had no intention of letting the goalkeeper leave this summer.

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The Spanish shot stopper announced earlier this season that he wouldn't be signing a new contract at the Nou Camp and was keen to leave the club at the end of the campaign. Valdes' announcement has caused a number of clubs to take a vested interest in the 31-year-old, with Arsenal said to be ready to pay £10million for the keeper. Manager Arsene Wenger is believed to be keen to bring in a new man to challenge youngsters Wojciech Szczesny and Lukas Fabianski. However, Barcelona have now revealed they have no intention of selling Valdes this year and instead plan to keep him at the club in the hope they can persuade him to extend his contract beyond its current 2014 cut-off point. Barca vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed: "[President Sandro] Rosell has had contact with Valdes to make it clear that we have to leave the doors open [on him changing his mind]. "As we prioritise sporting aspects, we prefer to run out the contract until June 2014 rather than sell him this summer. "We have no deadline in Valdes' case, one option is to run to the end of his contract and in that case we will not sign a goalkeeper [this summer]."


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Liverpool face battle to sign Swansea's Ashley William

Liverpool will face a battle to land summer target Ashley Williams with Arsenal ready to step up their interest in the Swansea City defender.

The LIVERPOOL ECHO revealed last month that Williams, 28, is high on Brendan Rodgers’ shortlist as he looks to strengthen his Reds squad in the close-season.



The Wales captain is valued at around £12m by Swansea, with Rodgers keen to persuade Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners, to sanction a deal.



Liverpool, however, value the player closer to £8m, and hope they can use his already-strong relationship with Rodgers as a tool to convince him to move to Merseyside.



Arsenal’s interest in Williams, though, is serious. Reports that the Gunners had a £9m bid rejected by Swansea in January are wide of the mark, but it is understood that they are now ready to make a formal offer, though their hopes of landing him could depend on whether or not they secure Champions League football next season.



Williams still has three years remaining on his current Swansea contract and, in a financial sense at least, the Welsh side have no pressing need to sell.



Relations between themselves and Liverpool were soured somewhat by the Reds’ pursuit of Joe Allen last summer. Swansea accused Liverpool of reneging on a written agreement not to target any of their players for a period of 12 months following Rodgers’ move to Anfield, and the Reds boss knows that Williams will not come cheap this summer.



He also knows he must convince Fenway Sports Group, the club’s owners, that a move for a player who will turn 29 in August fits in with the club’s policy of buying younger players with potential sell-on value.



Swans manager Michael Laudrup admitted recently that he was powerless to prevent players such as Williams leaving the Liberty Stadium for bigger salaries elsewhere.



“Ashley renewed his contract, and you can never know in football,” Laudrup said. “Sometimes an offer can come doubling your salary to play for a bigger club. You would at least think about it. It’s the same for everyone.”



Liverpool do have alternative defensive targets in mind, with Ajax’s Toby Alderweireld also earmarked.

Arteta: Right decision to leave Everton

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes his ability to hold down a regular first-team spot at Emirates Stadium proves he was right to leave Everton in 2011.





Arteta's switch to the Gunners came as a surprise to many, and the Spaniard has admitted that even he was not sure if he would establish himself as a constant in Arsene Wenger's starting line-up.

However, the 31-year-old has done just that, also captaining Arsenal at times this season in the absence of regular skipper Thomas Vermaelen.

"It has gone probably better than I expected," Arteta told the Evening Standard. "When you come to a club like Arsenal, you expect to find it very tough.

"I didn't know how much I was going to play but to get in the team and play the amount of games I have in the last two years in unbelievable. The way I have got on with the players, the staff and the fans has been great.

"My family are happy here so I think I made the right choice coming [to the club] and that is not disrespectful to Everton. I felt it was my time to leave after what I did there and go on to a different challenge."

Arteta comes up against his former club at The Emirates on Tuesday and ahead of his 29th start of the season was full of praise for his old boss David Moyes.

"He is a manager who really looks after the players, not only in football terms but any time you have a problem, he is always behind you," Arteta said. "What he does with the group is amazing because sometimes, when I was there, we had 12 or 13 players training.

"It was very small squads all the time because Everton cannot manage to pay 24 good wages. The way he takes everything out of the players and keeps demanding more of them without killing them psychologically, it is a very difficult thing to do as a manager."

Arteta established himself as a creative attacking player at Goodison Park but has found himself playing in a deeper role at Arsenal, something he says he has no problem with.

"Sometimes when I watch old videos from when I was at Everton, I see I was playing left wing, right wing and the way I have to play now is very different," Arteta said. "But when I started my career at Barcelona and Paris St-Germain, I used to play there with a lot of creative players in front of me and I enjoyed a different role. You have a lot of responsibility there but I enjoy it now.

"Sometimes people say to me, 'Mikel, you can go forward, score goals and be in the headlines,' but we have a lot of good players who can do that already. Sometimes you need to know that if you can help in another position and make the rest better, that is the best thing to do."

Podolski linked with Arsenal exit

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski feels as though he might be forced out of the club by Arsene Wenger, The Sun has revealed.



The Germany international joined the Gunners in a €12 million deal from Koln last summer and he enjoyed a bright start to his career at the Emirates.



However, he was recently relegated to the bench by Arsene Wenger and he now fears for his Arsenal future.



“Lukas is very happy at Arsenal, he loves the fans and enjoys living in London but he is increasingly worried that Wenger may have a problem with him,” a source close to the player told The Sun.



“He is frustrated at not playing for such a long time. He is an experienced player and he wants to play football.”



Lukas Podolski has managed to justify his price tag by scoring 8 goals and setting up another 9 in 26 Premier League appearances, but it appears that he is no longer considered an important member of the side.



The 27-year-old could be sold in the summer as Arsene Wenger prepares a major squad overhaul, with Atletico Madrid and Juventus reportedly keen.



Podolski has in turn lost his starting place in the national team as well, as he has yet to start a match in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Arsenal into top four

A rare double from Tomas Rosicky sent Arsenal into the top four for the first time since Boxing Day as they survived a late scare to beat West Brom 2-1 at The Hawthorns.

Highlights : West Brom vs. Arsenal

Rosicky scored after 20 and 50 minutes to put Arsenal in control before James Morrison gave West Brom hope by converting a 71st minute penalty after Per Mertesacker had been sent off bringing down Shane Long.

Arsenal created their first opportunity after eight minutes when a Claudio Yacob tackle rebounded to Rosicky. The Czech midfielder had time to take a touch, but instead shot first time and snatched at the ball, screwing it badly wide.

West Brom soon responded, however, and the pace of Jerome Thomas against Bacary Sagna forced a couple of corners. From the second, Yacob had a header cleared off the line by Rosicky and, when the ball was played back into the area, Long could only turn his attempt over, with Lukasz Fabianski struggling.

After 20 minutes, Arsenal took the lead when a long, raking pass from Mikel Arteta held up for Gervinho to chase down. The Ivorian turned Gareth McAuley inside and out before sending a shot on goal, which was going wide, but Rosicky intelligently directed the ball home with his head from six yards.

Fabianski did well to hold a low Chris Brunt free-kick as West Brom tried to react to going behind, but it was Ben Foster who was forced into the next saves as he comfortably kept out attempts from Gervinho and Aaron Ramsey.

Ten minutes before the break and the home side had an appeal for a penalty as Laurent Koscielny planted a foot into the midriff of Yacob, but Howard Webb turn down the appeals.

Just before half-time, Ramsey missed a glorious chance to double Arsenal's lead when, after intricate work from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud, he was through on Foster put somehow poked the ball wide.

Arsenal started the second half by again dominating possession, and Foster saved smartly from the adventurous Bacary Sagna before Rosicky scored his second. Cazorla played a beautiful ball into Ramsey and he fed the Czech, who tucked away the rebound after his first shot was saved.

West Brom finally brought on Romelu Lukaku with half an hour remaining, and within five minutes he had forced Fabianski into a save from a free-kick, and the Polish keeper then saved very smartly from a stinging Brunt volley.

The hosts were back in the game with 20 minutes remaining when Mertesacker was sent off for a rash challenge on Long and Morrison drilled the resulting penalty through Fabianski.

Suddenly, it was backs to the wall for Wenger's side as West Brom pressed, with Lukaku the most dangerous threat.

McAuley headed just wide from a corner and then Lukaku somehow steered the ball wide from eight yards before Long blazed over from close range as Arsenal grimly held firm.

Nasri: 'Stan Kroenke forced Wenger to sell me'

Samir Nasri has insisted that Arsene Wenger was forced to sanction his transfer to Manchester City by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke.

Nasri joined Roberto Mancini's side in 2011 for a fee of £24m, just weeks after Cesc Fabregas left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona.



The French midfielder has revealed that Wenger had no say in his sale and that he was forced to leave for sporting reasons in search of silverware.



He told beIN Sport: "Wenger told me that if Cesc left, I would stay but Kroenke wanted the money.



"The coach told me we'll only take Gervinho. Cesc was already gone, I had only one year left so I decided to leave.



"I do not have regrets. I do not regret joining Manchester City. I want to play and perform. My departure from Arsenal was purely for sporting reasons."



The 25-year-old has been a peripheral figure at the Etihad Stadium this season, with Mancini admitting last weekend that the playmaker's inconsistent form has left him frustrated.