Gervinho: I’m gunning for Walcott

GERVINHO has broken his silence about his proposed move to Arsenal and revealed he expects it to be finalised in the next 24 hours.

The Ivory Coast forward, who will cost €12 million from French champions Lille, also warned Theo Walcott that he wants his place in the side — and not a spot on the bench.

“I have chosen Arsenal because it’s a young squad, in which I can adapt easily. I can be happy there,” he told France Football in an interview published today.

“I am going to Arsenal to play. I will be part of the game. I’m not going to Arsenal to be on the bench. I am not taking a risk by going there. I am going there to play — and I am going there to win.

“There are only few details to check, but it won’t take long. I never had any hesitation, but in every transfer deal there is a time to analyse, think, discuss. Things can move slowly in that period. It’s only after all that, when you sign.”

While Gervinho comes in, Cesc Fabregas looks on his way to Barcelona — and the Catalans’ captain Xavi insists he would welcome the competition the Arsenal captain would bring.

Barca failed with two bids for their former youth team midfielder last year and have reportedly had an initial £27 million (€29 million) offer turned down this summer as well.

But the Catalan club are likely to return with a new bid for the 24 year-old in the coming days and Xavi says his arrival would be positive for Barca.

“Competition is always good and Cesc is an extraordinary footballer,” said Xavi.

“If he comes, it will be to help out.”

However, the midfielder hopes comparisons will not be drawn between Cesc and himself, as happened when Xavi broke through in the late 1990s and was dubbed as a successor to then captain and now coach, Pep Guardiola.

“They put that label on me of being a replacement for Pep Guardiola and it wasn’t fun at all,” the 31-year-old said.

Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, says he is keeping “his cards in his hands” as the club appear on the verge of a bruising player exodus.

Fabregas could be quickly followed out of Emirates Stadium by contract rebels Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.

Arsenal will not be held to ransom by Nasri and Clichy, who are both out of contract at the end of next season, over demands for inflated wages, with free-spending Manchester City now unsurprisingly a likely destination for both. Nasri’s agent was holding talks with City yesterday.

Wenger is due to gather his first-team squad together next week ahead of a tour to Malaysia and China. The Arsenal manager continues to give little away as to which players will be part of the group when they jet off in 10 days time.

“We are in a waiting period, everybody is waiting that the other [club] moves,” Wenger said in an interview with Alsace TV.

“Everybody has their cards in [their] hands, hoping for the big transfer.

“There is nothing moving yet. The period will me more active at the end of July when we will need to really strengthen the team.”

By then, though, Arsenal fans will be demanding more additions following the expected departures.

Defence is an area Wenger has singled out as in need of improvement, with Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill emerging as the preferred candidate, although whether the Gunners will match his £17m (€18.8m) price tag remains to be seen.

It is, though, not only key men like Fabregas who look set to leave — with the likes of Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner now surplus to requirements.

Argentina youngster Ricardo Alvarez says it would be a “dream” for him to move to Arsenal, but the agent of Brazilian midfielder Denilson claims interest from AC Milan is unfounded, and as such the player will report back for pre-season next week.