Wenger backs Jeffers, but challenges him to deliver on his £10m price tag

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has challenged Francis Jeffers to finally prove himself worthy of his £10m price tag before the end of the season.

Wenger still believes Jeffers has a bright future at Highbury and has again insisted he will not be selling him during the transfer window.

However, a persistent run of injuries have ensured the striker has still to prove himself since his move from Everton 18 months ago. Wenger will give him his latest chance to impress when Arsenal begin their defence of the FA Cup today at home to Third Division Oxford.

With at least eight first-team players rested or injured, including Thierry Henry, Jeffers is set to have a rare chance to start along with Matthew Upson, Oleg Luzhny, Kolo Toure and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Wenger said: "Francis has a good chance in the next three or four months to show that he's an Arsenal player.

"What he needs is to be clear of injuries and to get a run in the team. What is most important in football is to be ready. What looks impossible today, looks normal tomorrow.

"I want him to be part of our success here and to prove that I was right when I bought him. I had no doubts about his ability but the first quality of a top-level player must be health."

Jeffers scored on his first league start in 15 months at West Brom on Stephen's Day and then came off the bench to win a controversial late penalty equaliser against Liverpool.

"I am convinced that he has qualities which nobody else has in this league as he is where the ball is in the box.

He's like a magnet in the box and the closest thing there is to Ian Wright," added Wenger.

"I feel he will prove that I'm right. If you look at the number of games he's played and the number of goals he has scored, you will find there's no better rate in the league."

Jeffers' strike-rate 24 goals in 51 starts and 29 substitute appearances for Everton and Arsenal is not quite that good, but Wenger is clearly determined to persevere with him for now.

The Arsenal boss is also looking for Upson, who recently returned from a loan spell at Reading, to finally make the step into the first team after his own injury problems.

"Both of them look really sharp and fit. I believe they're back to their best and I want to give them a chance," he said.

"Matthew has so many attributes pace, power, technique and he's good in the air that he has what you dream of at centre-back."

Despite so many changes, Wenger insists his side will not be guilty of complacency against Oxford, who are pushing for promotion from the Third Division and have won seven of their past eight games.

"This is a test of our professionalism. There was a big relief in the dressing room after the Chelsea game so there is always a danger that you will relax too much three days later," he said.

But since the 1996-97 season, when Leeds beat them, Arsenal have lost just three of their 32 FA Cup ties under Wenger to Manchester United in a semi-final replay, Leicester in a penalty shoot-out and Liverpool in the final.

"Our record speaks for itself, we don't want to give up on any trophies. Oxford are a typically efficient English side, with commitment and long balls," he added.