Wenger seeks Ivory Coast delay

ARSENE WENGER is set to ask the Ivory Coast to allow Arsenal defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue to delay their departures for the African Nations Cup by more than a week.

Countries competing in the tournament can invoke FIFA’s rules allowing their players to join up on January 6 - two weeks before the tournament begins in Egypt.

However, Wenger is without Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy due to long-term injuries and needs Toure and Eboue to be available for the FA Cup tie against Cardiff, the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Wigan and the Premiership clash against Middlesbrough.