Wenger: Arsenal face a tough test at Wigan

Wigan away tomorrow and a 7am start from Sussex. The full horror of the 3-2 defeat a couple of seasons back still haunts me but we must travel with confidence although they did win last week so will be about as buoyant aas they could be when the face us. Great.

We managed a 2-2 draw last term and AW has had his say ahead of the Premier League encounter at the DW/JJB/ASBO Stadium and he has reflected on recent results going ginto tomorrow’s game. He said: “I don’t think this month will define the season but it’s important for us. We have achieved one target by not having to win at Olympiacos. Now we can focus on the Premier League.

“Wigan are a good team, they are a dangerous side. I think last year was a bit special but overall they had good players. They look like they are coming back with a bit more confidence now and it will be a tough game.”

Not too tough one hopes.

To the papers and various tales to titilate us this morning with so much transfer speculation  but, alas, much of it old news.

One doing the rounds is that Arsenal have been told that Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Gotze will not be sold for less than £30m. We’re told that AW had hoped to tie up a deal for the Germany international for £25m in advance of the transfer window opening.

AW is also apparently chasing £25m-rated Internacional and Brazil striker Leandro Damiao, 22, according to the Mirror, while a universal yarn, and, again, one that has been trotted out before, is that our leader is considering a move for Germany international forward Lukas Podolski, 26. But AW faces competition from Italian side Lazio for the Cologne striker in the January transfer window.

CARL ELDRIDGE Not my best effort, more drab offerings on Twitter @eldomedia