Source: Liverpool_Echo
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he would pick Everton FC’s Steven Pienaar for the Gunners
STEVEN PIENAAR will kick-off the World Cup today as a confirmed Arsenal target.[LNB]Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has declared that the Everton midfielder - still to commit to a new contract at Goodison - would get into his Arsenal team and admitted he is monitoring the midfielder's progress.[LNB]Wenger added that he is a long-term admirer of Pienaar, and believes the 28-year-old was one of the best players in the Premier League last season.[LNB]Arsenal are one of several clubs linked with a move for the 28-year-old since his contract negotiations with Everton reached impasse.[LNB] Wenger faces the prospect of losing his most influential midfielder, Cesc Fabregas, to Barcelona after the World Cup and would be guaranteed a huge budget for his replacement.[LNB]Now the Frenchman has fuelled speculation he could move for £15m-rated Pienaar, by explaining that he has been watching the South African's career since he played for Ajax.[LNB]He said: 'He would get into the Arsenal team, yes. I always had an eye on him since he was at Ajax.[LNB]'I believe that he has grown this year, He was usually a very busy player where the final ball was missing a little bit, but this year he has gained in personality, and he has kept his work-rate, so he has been much more efficient.[LNB]'I believe what also played a big role in his growth was that Arteta was not there for a while, and that he had to take the responsibility of being the play-maker of the team. In fairness, he was one of the best players in England this year.'
