Arsenal’s manager wants striker to stay

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has played down rumours that Sylvain Wiltord could join Paris St Germain during the winter transfer window, revealing he has offered the France international a contract extension.

PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic admitted the Paris outfit was on the lookout for players to boost its Ligue 1 title ambitions with Wiltord appearing to fit the bill after an indifferent spell at Highbury this season.

But Wenger, who brought Wiltord to Arsenal from Bordeaux after his country's Euro 2000 success, has made clear he will not let his player go when the transfer window opens on January 1.

"Wiltord will not leave the club during the transfer window," Wenger said. "It is very simple for me, he will stay with us."

The Frenchman has been out of form, playing 10 Premiership matches with the Gunners and scoring three times.

"Sylvain has been experiencing difficult times during which he picked up blows and then lost his confidence," Wenger said.

"But now he is getting better, he is in better mental condition and he is motivated to come back.

"I am sure he will be very important to us by the end of the season."

Wenger also claimed he had offered the player a contract extension to his present deal, which expires in June from January Wiltord will be able to hold discussions with other teams.

Meanwhile Real Madrid midfielder Ivan Helguera has heaped praise on the attacking abilities of David Beckham, but claims the England captain is not a patch on Claude Makelele when it comes to defending.

Beckham has impressed everyone in Spain at how quickly he has adapted to life in La Liga, where his willingness to track back and dedicate himself to the defensive duties in midfield have caught the attention as much as his passing ability and prowess from set pieces.

Helguera does not doubt Beckham's effectiveness going forward but the Spain international has rubbished suggestions the former Manchester United man has filled the gap left by Makelele's departure to Chelsea.