Source: Telegraph
Arsenal look to Blaise Matuidi with Cesc Fabregas an injury doubt
Should the prognosis turn out as feared, Fabregas would miss Arsenal’s Premier League encounter with Manchester United on Saturday.
Wenger has long been an admirer of Matuidi and has been in contact with the French club previously to discuss a possible move, according to the a report in the Mirror.
Arsenal’s interest has seen St Etienne place a £6 million price tag on the player’s head but Wenger would be unwilling to meet that figure.
Wenger will table a bid of around half that amount to take Matuidi to the Emirates Stadium with the sale of Philippe Senderos likely to fund it.
The centre back has been told he is free to look for another club with Everton, who have unwillingly allowed Joleon Lescott to join Manchester City this week, leading the chase for the Swiss defender.
Meanwhile, Wenger says he intends to stick with his fluid 4-3-3 formation which has underpinned Arsenal’s impressive start to the new campaign – but maintains he has the personnel to switch things around should the going get tough.
“We have played a 4-3-3 formation early in the season but it is not a definite system – it can change,” said Wenger.
“At the start of the season, I wanted to play high up the pitch, making a threat in the opponents half early in the game.
“We like to do that, because we are an attacking team and it gives us the opportunity to use our character.”
