Progressive Wenger looks to trim Gunners squad

ARSENE WENGER may feel he has no need to strengthen the Arsenal squad this month, but there looks set to be some movement away from the Emirates Stadium.

Veteran full-back Lauren is likely to be the most high-profile departure, with the Cameroon defender, fit again following a long-term knee problem, free to open talks with other clubs now he is in the final months of his contract.

With several Premiership clubs willing to offer him terms, including the likes of Portsmouth, West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton, Lauren, who is 30 tomorrow, is certainly not short of options.

However, the 29-year-old is also attracting interest from Europe, with Lyon, under former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, ready to offer him the chance to continue his career abroad, and Spanish leaders Sevilla as well as Valencia are also in the hunt.

Given the youthful options Wenger has available now in his squad — with Emmanuel Eboue and Justin Hoyte both having filled in at right-back this season — it is perhaps understandable the Arsenal manager feels the emerging squad could cope with the loss of such an experienced player.

However, that in itself brings on complications, with several hungry youngsters out on loan around the country with their long-term futures yet to be resolved.

Birmingham are expected to make the deal for Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson, 21, permanent this week, but striker Nicklas Bendtner, 18, and Fabrice Muamba, 18, are both expected back at the Emirates at the end of the season.

Italian forward Arturo Lupoli, 19, is another player whom Wenger would like to retain, but reports from his homeland suggest the player will head there — probably to Serie B club Napoli — once his spell at Championship promotion chasers Derby is over.

Jeremie Aliadiere, 23, remains determined to prove he has a future at Arsenal, having started to feature more in the first team this season.

Brazilian Julio Baptista has no intention of heading back to Real Madrid, with Jose Antonio Reyes not keen on a return to England.

For now, though, Wenger must turn his immediate attention to keeping his side in contention for Champions League qualification with a positive result against Premiership leaders Manchester United on Sunday.

The Gunners inflicted the only home league defeat of the campaign so far on the Red Devils at Old Trafford in September, when Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor netted the solitary goal.

With talisman skipper Thierry Henry now back in action and producing some breathtaking form — which included a stunning strike at Blackburn last weekend — Arsenal are certainly expected to offer United a stern test in their first visit to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have hit 15 goals in their last four games — and conceded an average of just one per match.