Arsene Wenger’s first step to introducing new faces at the Emirates look to be taking shape today, as it emerged that Arsenal intend to go after the West Bromich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie. It has also emerged that the West Brom coach Roy Hodgson has stated that he is not for sale with the knowledge that the Gunners are most definitely looking to add Odemwingie to their squad.

Odemwingie who scored 15 goals in his first season making 32 appearences, last season, has stated it would be ‘a dream move’. Peter Odemwengie has caught the eye of a few potential suitors but it is clear the North London club are his favourite choice to sign for if the move goes ahead.

West Bromich Albion boss Roy Hodgson issued this statement as suspicions are also rife that the club captain Chris Brunt is rumoured to be leaving The Hawthorns in this transfer window: “Luckily they are under contract, so that’s not a great problem for us, We are working very hard to make sure they are happy at the club, and we will do our very best to ensure that. We are a club with a very healthy economy. The chairman has a very clear idea of the direction that the club wants to go in. He is certainly more interested in retaining our players than selling them.

“So players like Odemwingie and Brunt, who have long-term contracts, I expect them to stay at the club.”

Hodgson refused to get drawn on which players he was willing to offload when he said: “I wouldn’t want to say anything that would suggest being disrespectful to any of the players,”

“I will confine myself to say that we are looking to try and strengthen in all areas.

The original rumours suggested that Odemwingie would be avalable to Arsenal for a fee of just £4m, but from Hodgson’s latest words it would seem that West Brom will be looking for a much higher price for the impressive striker.

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