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.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.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.Arsenal are one of several clubs linked with a move for the 28-year-old since his contract negotiations with Everton reached impasse. 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.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.He said: 'He would get into the Arsenal team, yes. I always had an eye on him since he was at Ajax.'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.'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.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo