Earlier in the season the German outfit were quoted as claiming Arsenal would not have the necessary funds to bring him into the club but now it seems that is far from the truth.
Arsenal are also linked with Palermo midfielder Afriyie Acquah, on loan at Parma, who has been described as the 'Next Essien'. The 20-year-old would cost £10 million, but may not move until next summer. You can find out more about him here.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis has issued a hands off warning to any potential suitors for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The Bosnian has been a solid performer for The Potters in the last 18 months which has seen him linked recently with Manchester United and Arsenal. Pulis however insists that Stoke are in no pressure to sell financially and even if they did there are rumours that any bid would have to be in excess of £10 million before they would consider selling the 25-year-old custodian in the summer; with a January move completely inconceivable.
Arsenal’s highly talented midfielder Thomas Eisfeld has insisted he is loving life at Arsenal and believes there is plenty more to come from him in the coming months. He is expected to feature in the Gunners Carling Cup tie with Bradford City tomorrow and he has been telling Arsenal.com about his progress at The Emirates.
Arsenal transfer target Mapou Yanga M’Biwa has become a transfer target for Premier League rivals Chelsea. The Montpellier centre-back has been linked with several clubs including AC Milan after a breakout season at the Southern French club last season when he also made his international debut for Les Bleus. With Montpellier out of the title running and also being dumped out of Europe it is believed he may well be considering a move away in January and despite Arsenal originally being considered one of the front-runners it now appears they may have competition from London rivals for his signature.
Arsene Wenger claims he will warn Santi Cazorla about his future conduct after the Spanish midfield maestro appeared to dive or Arsenal’s first penalty against West Brom at the weekend. He said he would discuss the matter with the summer recruit from Malaga and make his feelings on the subject very clear.
Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal squad not to expect an easy ride when they travel to Premier League strugglers Reading on Monday.
The Gunners' season lurched to another crisis with their midweek Capital One Cup defeat to Bradford, where the League Two club won a penalty shoot-out at Valley Parade.
The Royals are rooted in the relegation places but Wenger suggests their position does not reflect their form and points to the way they ran Manchester United close in a 4-3 defeat earlier this month.
"They are a team who deserve a lot of credit because they came up last year, for me surprisingly," said the Frenchman.
"Reading make it difficult for every team in every game, so we expect a battle.
"Our results are quite consistent and good away from home. We had a good game against West Brom (and) it's important to confirm that in our next away game.
"If you look at our season at the moment, we have not produced our performances at home, away our results are in the same bracket as the two top teams.
"Where we have lost the points is we made too many draws at home. Manchester United are top of the league, six points ahead. They have lost three games, we have lost four.
"We had more draws, especially at home, that is where we have lost the points."
England midfielder Jack Wilshere expects to sign a new contract with Arsenal in the 'next couple of weeks'.
The 20-year-old, who missed last season through injury, has been in talks with the club and his new deal at Emirates Stadium is reported to be set for four years.
And Wilshere's commitment would dismiss any speculation he wants to leave the club amid their current on and off-field struggles.
"I am talking to the club and I probably will be committing my future to the club in the next couple of weeks," he said.
"I know the team are going through a bad stage at the moment but that is like any team."
Olivier Giroud says he is starting to feel settled at Arsenal and believes his own performances are improving.
The 26-year-old striker has netted seven goals since arriving from Montpellier in a £13m deal during the summer.
Although his most recent strike came against Tottenham in mid-November, the Frenchman is feeling confident and upbeat about his and Arsenal's immediate future.
Giroud said: "It has been an interesting few months but now I want to do more.
"I am an Arsenal player and rightly expectations are high. I am trying to do what the boss asks of me, to put pressure on defenders and to improve on protecting and holding the ball.
"We put a lot of good crosses in, so it is important that I get on the end of them and score.
"I am feeling better and better in this team all the time. I know my team-mates now and things are more automated on the pitch, which makes things easier for me."
Santi Cazorla believes a simple lack of maturity has cost Arsenal too many points this season.
The midfielder is frustrated at the number of times the Gunners have failed to hang on to a lead, and he vowed to help put that right.
Ahead of Monday's trip to rock-bottom Reading, the former Malaga star said: "We haven't been consistent.
"There have been games where we haven't been mature enough as a team and haven't held onto the positive results. We are hoping to make up some ground."
Cazorla is enjoying his role as an attacking midfielder, playing in front of Mikel Arteta and England youngster Jack Wilshere.
"I am very comfortable with where the manager positions me, support striker, with the freedom I like to have," he added.
"The team also plays a type of football which suits me very well and I take on more responsibility every day."
Match preview for game against Reading tonight.
Reading manager Brian McDermott: "I’d take a 7-6 win against Arsenal"
Strikers Jason Roberts and Pavel Pogrebnyak could return following respective (hip) and (unspecified) injuries although it is doubtful they will feature from the start. Jimmy Kebe (groin) and Jem Karacan (knee) have returned to training but will not play, while Sean Morrison (ankle) is still sidelined and Alex McCarthy is out long term.
Reading (from): Federici, Taylor, Cummings, Gorkss, Pearce, Morrison, Mariappa, Shorey, Harte, McAnuff, Guthrie, Leigertwood, Tabb, McCleary, Le Fondre, Hunt, Robson-Kanu, Roberts, Pogrebnyak.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "Away from home our results are quite consistent and good"
Striker Olivier Giroud is in contention again following a back problem and defender Laurent Koscielny has resumed training after his thigh injury, but England winger Theo Walcott (calf) will be assessed. Full-back Andre Santos (stomach muscle) and midfielder Abou Diaby (thigh) continue their rehabilitation.
Arsenal: (from): Szczesny, Vermaelen, Mertesacker, Sagna, Gibbs, Cazorla, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arteta, Gervinho, Giroud, Martinez, Squillaci, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Podolski, Rosicky, Coquelin, Koscielny.
Match officials
Referee: A Taylor; Assistants: A Garratt, G Beswick; Fourth official: M Clattenburg.
Last corresponding meeting
Mon 12 Nov 2007 | Madejski Stadium | Attendance: 24,024
Reading 1 - 3 Arsenal
Nicky Shorey (87)
Mathieu Flamini (44)
Emmanuel Adebayor (52)
Alexander Hleb (78)
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