Lassana Diarra is the target of three Premier League clubs after telling Arsenal he wants to leave in the transfer window. The midfielder is desperate to find a new club after failing to establish himself as a regular at Emirates Stadium and has attracted interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle as well as being linked with Tottenham.Informal enquiries have been made about the Frenchman, who can also play at right-back, and he is optimistic Arsenal will let him go for around £3million. The club hope to make a greater profit on the player they signed from Chelsea in August for £2m but may opt to avoid pricing him out of a move due to the fear of his discontent spreading among their young players.
Diarra has been told by Arsene Wenger he will play around 20 games this season but has started only four in the Premier League and has already voiced his disappointment. The 22-year-old is unlikely to feature against Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow when Wenger's side will be hoping to regain their away form.
Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Portsmouth meant Arsenal have dropped seven points in their last three away games and they have also lost top spot in the Premier League to Manchester United. Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon fears a lack of big-match experience could cost Wenger's outstanding young team the title.
The 43-year-old, who won four Championship titles with the club, said: "They can be a little naive and that's often what you get with a young team. "I'd love to see Arsenal win the title this season but I have a feeling they're still just a little bit behind United. I watch United and I sense they still have a bit more to offer than Arsenal.
"They've got a more experienced team. They know how to win games. They know how to take a one goal lead and hold on to it. "I'm delighted to see Arsenal don't get bullied any more, but they're still vulnerable in certain areas." Wenger will delay finalising his team because of injury worries about captain William Gallas, who damaged a toe at Portsmouth. Robin van Persie is again ruled out along with Denilson, who is suspended.
