Jeffers 'can be great striker'

ARSENE WENGER has insisted that Francis Jeffers has the "special talent" to join the ranks of Arsenal's great strikers.

Before Arsenal's FA Cup tie against Farnborough, club record goalscorer Ian Wright made a presentation to Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp in recognition of having reached their century of goals for the club.

Jeffers went on to score twice in the 5-1 fourth-round victory and Wenger later insisted the striker could aspire to emulate that famous trio. "How good can he become? He can certainly become a great goalscorer.

"The next step for him is to play regularly and keep fit. He is very young and I believe he can be a good combination with anyone up front Dennis, Thierry or Kanu.

"I don't think he needs to improve a lot, just to get fit and get match-sharp. I can understand his frustration as he was injured at such a young age. But I hope he does get frustrated at not being in the team as we only have great players here with a great desire to win and play." While Jeffers should at least have had a hat-trick against non-League Farnborough, Wenger is particularly impressed by his "unbelievable" strike-rate and movement.

Clutching Arsenal shirts, souvenirs and the match ball, Farnborough's players left Highbury with their pride still intact but, more than anything else, with deep admiration for the FA Cup holders.

As goalkeeper Tony Pennock, who earns in a year less than Patrick Vieira picks up every week, put it: "I don't begrudge them a penny of what they earn, they deserve everything they get." Having rushed straight to Dennis Bergkamp in search of his shirt at the final whistle, centre-back Darren Annon found that it had already been reserved by Chris Piper when the two substitutes were warming up together on the touchline. With goalscorer Rocky Baptiste collaring lookalike Kanu and the likes of Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell in huge demand, Annon admitted he was "far too slow" when it really mattered. "We've got so many great memories, even though we lost 5-1 and it was like the Alamo out there at times. They are the double-winners, there's a big gap in class and we were down to 10 men for an hour. But we can hold our heads up at our performance." Goalkeeper Pennock, who found David Seaman waiting for him after the game with his shirt and gloves, observed: "They're a frightening side." Meantime, French striker Djibril Cisse would like to join up with his best friend Sylvain Wiltord at Arsenal, the Auzerre striker has revealed. "I dream about playing for Arsenal," he told L'Equipe magazine. In a revelation that should have any opposing English fans thinking up some amusing chants at his expense he came out with a surprising response when asked what he would like to be for a day. "I would like to be a woman, though I don't know why," said Cisse, who also admitted to owning a dress designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Jermaine Pennant urged Arsene Wenger to give him a chance this season after starring for Watford in a 1-0 FA Cup win over West Brom at Vicarage