Arsenal: Arsenal looking at Bodmer and Meite

Arsene Wenger may look to France if he decides to seek reinforcements to his squad in January. The Arsenal manager saw his side slip seven points behind runaway leaders Chelsea in the Premiership title race on Tuesday and has already admitted he may introduce a midfielder this month if he is unable to call upon Brazilians Edu and Gilberto Silva.

"Gilberto comes back on January 10, so we will check him then," said Wenger recently.

"If he is not fit and Edu decides to go, then we will be short."

French sources claim the Gunners boss has his eye on Lille's Mathieu Bodmer with scouts tracking his performances throughout December.

The midfielder has been in impressive form this season as Lille continue to shock in Ligue 1 as they currently lie in second place, only three points adrift of champions Lyon. Milan and Paris Saint Germain have already been linked with the 22-year-old but Arsenal, although not making any contact yet, are understood to have been watching the former Caen man carefully.

Another player being linked with a move to Highbury in the French media is Marseille defender Abdoulaye Meite. The Ivory Coast international is also admired by Newcastle United but rumours are rife that Wenger is ready to offer a contract to the stopper, which would see him link up with fellow Ivorian Kolo Toure.

L'OM are keen to keep both Meite and Habib Beye, another alleged target for Newcastle, and only a sizeable bid would tempt the Stade Velodrome club to change their minds.

i think marsielle, the manager would be mad if they left for arsenal, he werent a happy guy when flamini left.

though, am sure these two guys are good youngsters, and a defender sounds about right