Joining Gunners’ French legion tempts Trezeguet

DAVID TREZEGUET has expressed an interest in joining Arsenal, if he leaves Juventus at the end of this season.

After initially suggesting he was unlikely to pen a new deal in Turin, the Frenchman then told the press in his home land that he was happy with the Italian giants and much of what he had said had been exaggerated.

Barcelona targeted the classy centre forward, but the likelihood now is that he will either sign a new contract this year with Juve or join Arsenal in June if Arsene Wenger manages to break the bank or offer the likes of Freddie Ljungberg in part exchange.

“Arsenal want me,” the French striker said yesterday. “Everyone tells me about how Arsenal play in a beautiful way, and about the great atmosphere in English football, and the fact that I could sign for the Gunners.

“I know this club are interested in me and, if Juve do not give me a satisfying answer to the conditions I am requesting, I will go to Highbury.”

Juventus vice president Roberto Bettega is also quoted in Spanish newspaper AS as saying that: “ Trezeguet could go to Arsenal.”

However Italian sources suggest the former Azzurri international has reacted with great surprise to the claims.

“I am stunned from what is reported,” he replied. “I deny categorically the news of a transfer for Trezeguet.”

Meanwhile Arsene Wenger warned Arsenal’s Premiership rivals that his side will emerge from their own “mini-winter break” fresher than ever to resume their title quest.

Manchester United faced First Division leaders Portsmouth last weekend in the FA Cup third round and played Blackburn last night in the Worthington Cup semi-finals.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle faced similarly testing FA Cup ties, with the Anfield club also involved in Worthington Cup action this week.

Arsenal, however, were able to rest more than half of their first team in last Saturday’s routine third round win against Third Division Oxford and currently have a midweek break.

Wenger has therefore been able to give the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole a rest ahead of Sunday’s game at Birmingham City. Vieira has had to travel back to France for intensive work on a troublesome groin problem and could yet face a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s match.

However, Freddie Ljungberg, who has had a virus and a sore Achilles, could be back in action, while other knocks may have cleared up, with Pascal Cygan returning to the reserves last night after a calf injury.

Wenger, whose side are already five points clear at the top of the table, believed the break will have given his squad an ideal breather just as they gear up to resume their title challenge.

“I thought this was the last time I could give my players a rest before we go again for the championship and the Champions League,” declared the Arsenal boss.

“Sometimes you have natural breaks, for example when Manchester United had the likes of David Beckham and Roy Keane out through injuries.

“But the success of the season depends on what kind of break the players get and when, and this was a mini-winter break that I could create. It was important for my players to have a rest now. We look focused on the championship and have a great togetherness but looked a bit jaded after the Christmas period.”

The Arsenal boss does not fear burn-out in his squad, even though Vieira and Henry played 66 and 62 matches respectively for club and country last year.