Wenger plays down Wanyama links

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down rumours the
club are interested in a move for Southampton's Victor
Wanyama.

Kenya international Wanyama has impressed since joining the
south-coast club from Celtic in 2013, and has often been linked
with a switch away from St Mary's Stadium.

Media reports on Friday claimed that the midfielder had become
a "top priority" for Arsenal, but Wenger scotched such talk in a
news conference ahead of the weekend's Premier League
meeting with Aston Villa.

"I rate the player but we are not on the case," he said.
"We will see what is there [in January]. We have a whole
December to go first."

The rumours surrounding Wanyama come at a time that has
seen Arsenal ravaged by injuries, with the likes of Mikel Arteta,
Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere
and Alexis Sanchez all sidelined.

Wenger confirmed that both Arteta and Sanchez would miss
Sunday's trip to Villa Park, while also declaring that no other
injured players would return before Christmas.