Arsenal complete Squillaci deal

Arsenal have completed the signing of French defender Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger confirmed this lunchtime that the deal for the 30-year-old centre-back had been sealed after the Spanish club accepted an offer last week.

Squillaci will not play in Saturday's Premier League game at Blackburn but will be eligible for the Champions League campaign.

The former Lyon centre-half, who joined Sevilla from Les Gones two years ago, asked to be left out of the side for the Champions League play-off against Braga last week so he would not be cup-tied for European competition.

Squillaci will strengthen an Arsenal rearguard weakened by the departures of William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre, Sol Campbell and Philippe Senderos.