Campbell can make World Cup, says Arsenal boss Wenger

After handing Sol Campbell a deal, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says a late World Cup push is a realistic target for the 36 year-old defender.

Wenger believes Campbell could play his way back into the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa in the summer.

Wenger said: "It (England) is not the immediate target but you should not rule anything out.

"That is not my worry and my job but if you were in his position what would you want to do? You would want to give your best and you never know. It is unlikely maybe, but if you are in his shoes you would say 'Let's give as much as I can' and you never know."

Wenger expects Campbell to feature in a busy month ahead which includes crucial games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool as well as a tricky FA Cup tie at Stoke.

Wenger said: "I have seen him in training and he is very sharp. His attitude is good, his talent is good. But it is the game which decides."

When asked whether he regretted allowing Campbell to leave in 2006, Wenger said: "Life is life. He wanted to go abroad. I did not make him leave. He wanted to go. We live in a world where everybody is free to do what he wants with his life.

"It gives us the opportunity to have one more centre-back. Sol will give us experience, good advice and physically he has worked very hard.

"It is an opportunity for him to relaunch his career and for us it is a good help for the rest of the season. He is dedicated, motivated and looks happy to be back."

Arsenal relief as Arshavin rubbishes need for operation

Andrey Arshavin has dismissed talk that he needs an operation on his niggling foot injury, reports the Daily Mail.

The Russia striker has been training lightly and playing with discomfort in the absence of Arsenal strikers Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

But sources close to the player have told Sportsmail there is no truth in Russian press reports that he needs to go under the knife.

Club insiders are also confident that the 28 year old is managing his injury well and he is expected to start Sunday's match at Bolton Wanderers.

Burnley boss Coyle makes cheeky bid for Arsenal kid Wilshere

Burnley boss Owen Coyle has made a move for Arsenal whizkid Jack Wilshere.

The Mirror says Coyle took his chance to ask for the midfield diamond on loan for the rest of the season during the pre-match pleasantries with Arsene Wenger on the pitch at Turf Moor!

The chatty Glaswegian wished Wenger all the best before kick-off and would not let him go while he put his case to sign Wilshere and help with his football education.

And the way the Clarets played against the Gunners could give Coyle a fighting chance of convincing Wenger that highly-rated Wilshere will improve with his passing side.

Coyle is keen to recruit top talent within his budget next month and is a big admirer of Wilshere who is 18 on New Year's Day and tipped to move out on loan soon after.

Arsenal boss Wenger chasing Wolfsburg striker Dzeko

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is chasing Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.

The Sunday Mirror says West Ham striker Carlton Cole is already on the radar – and he has now been joined by Dzeko of Wolfsburg.

Dzeko was watched against Manchester United last Tuesday. The German club are now out of the Champions League following their 3-1 defeat to United and they may now decide to cash in on their 23-year-old Bosnian international.

Silvestre confident Arsenal can heap more pressure on Liverpool

Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre is convinced they can heap more pressure on Liverpool today at Anfield.

Silvestre insists Arsenal’s young learners can pass their latest big examination at Anfield today.

But the experienced French defender will remind the starlets that Liverpool are still a big club, despite their poor recent form.

Silvestre admitted: “It is a game that means a lot to us because we have already lost to the big clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea this season.

“We can look on Liverpool as another test.

“We can bounce back. We have the character and we have the energy.

“December and January is always a big time for the clubs. The season is at halfway and you can guess who will be there at the end – and we want to be.”

Arsenal announce Van Persie out for 4-5 months

Arsenal have announced Robin van Persie will be out of action for FOUR MONTHS with his ankle injury.

Van Persie suffered extensive ligament damaged whilst playing for Holland against Italy earlier this month.

A club statement said: "Robin Van Persie returned to Arsenal on November 22nd following an ankle injury sustained whilst on international duty with Holland.

"The injury was expected to keep him out of action for between four and six weeks.

"Upon his return, the Arsenal medical team conducted a thorough review of his scans, his early injury management and the treatment he had received.

"Having scrutinised these in detail and assessed the response of his ankle, the Club's medical team concluded that further investigation and opinion was required.

"Advice was sought from the leading ankle specialist Mr Niek van Dijk, who confirmed that more extensive damage had been suffered than was first diagnosed.

"In order to repair his ankle, Robin will undergo surgery next week in Amsterdam to reconstruct the ligaments. The Club's medical team anticipate that a full recovery will take between four and five months."

Chelsea's Cole: Pressure on Arsenal to win

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole insists all the pressure will be on Arsenal when the two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The 28 year old is desperate to play from the start against the Gunners after being left on the bench against Porto in the Champions League in midweek.
"The pressure is on them, no doubt about that with the gap, and getting a win there is a major result," said Cole.

"We have beaten Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, so if we can beat Arsenal it is a fantastic start against the big clubs, followed by Manchester City and Everton, so the lads are excited.

"We haven't been in this position for a long time and do not want to let it slip.

"Everyone is dropping points, but Arsenal will be a threat on Sunday of course, they always are."

Cole insists Chelsea need to continue picking up points and is hopeful the Blues can claim the bragging rights in the capital tomorrow.

Cole added: "They could be without Gallas, Gibbs, Van Persie, who is a big miss for them, and Bendtner, who had a good start to the season as well, so they do have a few out.

"But we had some missing last week and coped with it well, so I am sure they'll be all right, as we have been.

"All the derbies are big aren't they? But this one is special, because over the past few years Arsenal have been the closest to Chelsea in the league, so there is a natural rivalry.

"They're all exciting to be a part of. There are a lot of foreign players in them now, but I remember going to school when we played Tottenham, Arsenal, West Ham and you always wanted to win so you could give your mates some stick. That's what it is all about.

"Where I grew up there was all Arsenal and Spurs fans really, and Arsenal had the bragging rights in those days but I'm getting even in recent years.

"Whatever happens we just need to keep winning. If we do that and suddenly we're in February and a few points clear, you realise you only need to win a few more and the prospect (of winning the title) becomes very real, so we just need to keep picking up points."