Lassana Diarra is the target of three Premier League clubs
after telling Arsenal he wants to leave in the transfer window. The
midfielder is desperate to find a new club after failing to
establish himself as a regular at Emirates Stadium and has
attracted interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle as well as being
linked with Tottenham.
Informal enquiries have been made about the Frenchman, who can also
play at right-back, and he is optimistic Arsenal will let him go
for around £3million. The club hope to make a greater profit on the
player they signed from Chelsea in August for £2m but may opt to
avoid pricing him out of a move due to the fear of his discontent
spreading among their young players.
Diarra has been told by Arsene Wenger he will play around 20 games
this season but has started only four in the Premier League and has
already voiced his disappointment. The 22-year-old is unlikely to
feature against Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow when Wenger's
side will be hoping to regain their away form.
Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Portsmouth meant Arsenal have dropped seven
points in their last three away games and they have also lost top
spot in the Premier League to Manchester United. Former Arsenal
defender Lee Dixon fears a lack of big-match experience could cost
Wenger's outstanding young team the title.
The 43-year-old, who won four Championship titles with the club,
said: "They can be a little naive and that's often what you get
with a young team. "I'd love to see Arsenal win the title this
season but I have a feeling they're still just a little bit behind
United. I watch United and I sense they still have a bit more to
offer than Arsenal.
"They've got a more experienced team. They know how to win games.
They know how to take a one goal lead and hold on to it. "I'm
delighted to see Arsenal don't get bullied any more, but they're
still vulnerable in certain areas." Wenger will delay finalising
his team because of injury worries about captain William Gallas,
who damaged a toe at Portsmouth. Robin van Persie is again ruled
out along with Denilson, who is suspended.
