Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Saint Etienne’s deep-lying playmaker Blaise Matuidi according to Sky Sports News.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been linked with a number of midfielder’s this summer since declaring that he was looking to bring one quality player in midfield to the Emirates Stadium earlier this summer.

Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, along with Everton targets Jonathan De Guzman and Stephane Mbia have all been reportedly targets for Wenger, who has lost key midfielder’s Mathieu Flamini, Gilberto Silva and Alexander Hleb during this transfer window.

Arsenal’s French-based scout Gilles Grimandi has seen the Matuidi in action for Les Verts and Arsene Wenger is also a known admirer of the Tolouse-born star.

However, it has now emerged that it is 21-year-old Matuidi that is set to join the Gunners, with it not known how advanced talks are between St Etienne and Arsenal.

French Under-21 International Matuidi joined Etienne from Troyes last summer, making 36 appearances for the Ligue 1 team last season and is one of France’s most sought-after prospects.

Arsenal have been drawn in Group G along with FC Porto, Fenerbache and Dynamo Kiev in the inaugural saw for the Champions League group stage.

Arsène Wenger’s team will travel to Portugal, Turkey and Ukraine after beating Dutch side FC Twente in the Third Qualifying Round.

Out of the three teams, Fenerbache appear to be the strongest on paper boasting Spain’s Euro 2008-winning coach Luis Aragones.

Champions League group stage draw in full (British teams marked in bold):

Group A: CHELSEA, AS Roma, Bordeaux, Cluj
Group B: Inter, Werder, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis
Group C: Barcelona, Sporting, FC Basel, Shakhtar
Group D: LIVERPOOL, PSV, Marseille, Atletico
Group E: MAN UTD, Villarreal, CELTIC, Aalborg
Group F: Lyon, Bayern, Steaua, Fiorentina
Group G: ARSENAL, FC Porto, Fenerbahce, Dinamo Kiev
Group H: Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit, Bate

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AC Milan new-boy Philippe Senderos has labelled his move to the Italian giants as a ‘dream come true’, after penning a twelve-month loan deal with Carlo Anceletti’s side.

The 23-year-old stopper was a surprise swoop for the Rossoneri as they looked to strengthen their back line for a Scudetto push.

After the arrival of Mikael Silvestre at the Emirates Stadium, Arsene Wenger decided to allow Senderos to spend the campaign at San Siro and he couldn’t be happier.

“I am really happy to play in a team like Milan,” Senderos told the club’s official website. “For me, this is a dream come true. Everything has happened really fast, in a week. Everything here is incredible. The people are very easy going and they have made me feel like I’m at home.

“In the past I have achieved some success. To have become European Champion with the Under-17 national team and of course, at the age of 18 to have arrived to a big club as Arsenal. In London I have learned a lot. It has been a life school and (manager Arsene) Wenger has helped me.

“Today I can say I have reached a superior level by coming to this club. I want to give 100 per cent and improve every day. This team wants to return to the Champions League and I will do everything I can to help.”

Senderos will have to wait for his Milan debut as he is currently suffering from a back injury.

Gooner Talk would like to wish Big Phil a successful spell with AC Milan, and hope to see him impressing for the Italian stars in the near future.