Wenger Knocks Back Roeder Bid

Last updated : 22 January 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

... the youngster is staying in North London. Apparently Wenger says the player is "not ready for the hurly-burly of regular Premiership football".

Roeder went to Anfield on January 9 to watch Arsenal beat Liverpool 6-3 in the Carling Cup quarter-final, and supposedly make his offer.

The kids in the Gunners starting line up that night were 20-year-old Ivory Coast defender Johan Djourou, 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Denilson, 17-year-old French left-back Armand Traore, Cameroon midfielder Alexandre Song Billong and French striker Jeremie Aliadiere.

Roeder: "We have asked Arsenal if we could have one of their young players on loan, but Arsene Wenger said he wants to keep him at the moment because he is not ready to play Premiership football week-in, week-out.

"We have accepted Arsene's decision and, as far as this player is concerned, that is the end of the matter."