Arsenal are monitoring the development of Marseille and France starlet Boubacar Kamara, according to reports.

French outlet L'Equipe, cited by the Daily Express, say the 17-year-old central defender is highly rated in Marseille.

He is yet to sign a professional contract with the Ligue 1 club, which has alerted the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Marseille are hopeful of committing the teenager to a new deal but Arsenal are ready to swoop if negotiations break down.

Wenger: Arsenal braced for difficult Wilshere talks

Arsene Wenger admits he fears Arsenal will face a “difficult” battle to get Jack Wilshere to sign a new contract, writes John Cross.

Midfielder Wilshere , who only has 18 months left on his current deal, is at Bournemouth on a season-long loan but Wenger fully expects the England midfielder to return to the Emirates next summer.

Wilshere is spending the season on loan at Bournemouth but Arsenal want to keep him (
Image:
Gareth Copley)

Wenger insists the 24-year-old - who will have to sit out Sunday’s game between the two clubs - still has a future at the Emirates but says negotiations could be tough.

Gunners boss Wenger, who expects to start negotiations in the New Year, said: “I can assure you talks over any contract are always difficult and with Jack they are always difficult.

“My feeling is I want him back. He always said he is an Arsenal man. If you only think about yourself then you go where you like to be. The word loyalty isn’t even the right word. He always said he was an Arsenal man.

“It was a human case (to let him go on loan), then a calculated financial case. If Jack comes back to his right level he will play for us.”

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Wenger: Xhaka hasn't started enough

Granit Xhaka was Arsenal's marquee signing this summer, with fans salivating at the announcement of his £30million move from Borussia Monchengladbach, writes Rory Brigstock-Barron.

But other than his long-range strike against Hull back in September, the Swiss midfielder has enjoyed a somewhat unspectacular start to life at the Emirates.

Even Arsene Wenger admits he has used the 24-year-old sparingly as he tries to introduce him to the Premier League.

Arsenal expected more of Xhaka after signing him from Borussia Monchengladbach (
Image:
Getty)

However, the Frenchman has said he is pleased with what he has seen from Xhaka so far.

"I’m very happy with Granit’s commitment. I think he’s developing well," Wenger said. "He hasn’t maybe started enough since the start of the season but he is adapting to a different league, a different way of playing.

"Overall I’m happy because every day he’s focused on working hard and I’m confident he’ll get his number of games."

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Cech backs Martinez

Arsenal No.1 Pet Cech has backed young keeper Emiliano Martinez, insisting he has "has the ability" to play for the club, writes Hamish Mackay.

The Argentine youth international is currently third choice behind Cech and David Ospina, but has impressed for the Gunners in the League Cup this season.

The club rewarded him with a new long-term deal at the club this week, and Cech feels it is a smart move

Cech, left, has backed Martinez, right, to succeed at the Emirates (
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty)

"He’s been here for a few years now and I would say that you can see his progress," said Cech. "Having gone on loan a few times and having proved that he has the ability to play at this level - it’s been a learning experience for him as well.

"For a player that is not playing as much, he is always ready. I think that he enjoys the game and he is that person you know you can always put him in and rely that he will give you the performance you expect.

"I think that’s a big asset for a goalkeeper because you need to know that your goalkeeper is there every day."