Following the departures of Mathieu Flamini, Alexander
Hleb and Gilberto Silva, Wenger's priority this summer has been to
recruit a central midfielder.
Such was the lack of availability to the Frenchman last Saturday
that he was forced to play Emmanuel Eboue in central midfield
against Fulham, a game Arsenal lost 1-0. Arsenal had hoped to agree
an £8 million fee for the 24-year-old Switzerland international,
but the player himself has put an end to speculation by declaring
he wants to remain in Serie A.
The player’s agent, Dino Lambrini, said: "We have decided that
Inler remains in Udinese. “Any player would want to play for
Arsenal of course, but for Inler this may be perhaps a little
early. Maybe a season too early.”
Wenger's attention is now likely to concentrate on Xabi Alonso,
although with Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool seemingly
dead in the water, prizing the Spaniard away from Anfield will be
difficult.
However, Rafa Benitez needs funds to strengthen his squad, and
could be tempted with a big-money offer in the region of £15m.
Alonso would certainly be willing to move to the Emirates, enabling
him to team up with compatriot Cesc Fabregas in the Arsenal
midfield, while Fabregas believes Alonso would be a superb addition
to the squad.
He said: "What can I say? He is my friend and apart from that he
is a great professional, a great passer of the ball, he works hard
defensively, he's scoring goals now, he's experienced and he is
only 26."