Benarrivo arrival at Highbury?

Although Arsene Wenger has insisted he will not be making any forays into the transfer market, it is understood that the experienced Parma man could be in line for a surprise switch to North London.

The 33-year-old full back has previously rejected a move to Middlesbrough, but Parma's disappointing exit from the Uefa Cup, at the hands of Hapoel Tel Aviv, could hasten his departure.

Benarrivo is hugely experienced, and can play on the left or right side of defence, ensuring Wenger would have additional cover in his backline.

"The left back position seems to be cursed for us at the moment," Wenger said after the win over Bayer Leverkusen. 

"Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been very unlucky and it is a position in the team we have had problems with.

"But I am confident we have the squad to cope and I do not plan on making any new signings to act as cover there."

However, it is understood that Italian ace Benarrivo is being lined up by the Frenchman.