Arsene Wenger has denied reports that Spurs have bid for Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra.
Gunners boss keen to keep midfielder
Arsene Wenger has denied reports that Tottenham Hotspur have bid for Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra.
The France international has recently expressed his frustration at his lack of opportunities at Emirates Stadium since a cut-price move from Chelsea last summer.
Diarra has started just four Premier League games for the leaders and he has been linked with Newcastle United and Spurs.
But Arsenal boss Wenger has rejected claims that he has turned down a £4million offer from the club's North London rivals.
Bad luck
"I had nobody from Spurs on the phone and I didn't reject any bids from Spurs," said Wenger.
"We'll keep [our conversations] close and what we do inside [the club] - but if you ask my opinion, I want him to stay.
"You don't make a player come on August 31 and then want to sell him on January 1. I want to keep Diarra, but we'll see.
"The bad luck is that he arrived when our training had started. I rate him highly and, if it's down to me, I want him to stay.
"I can understand his frustration because he is worried about the national team, but I bought him in and it was long, hard work to get him here."
