Gooner Talk

Corinthians striker Detinho is the player being linked with a transfer to Arsenal after Richard Law told a Spanish newspaper that a deal is “progressing well” with a “Carlos Vela type-player”.

Brazil based scout Sandro Orlandelli has been keeping tabs on the highly-rated 19-year-old with the speedy forward reportedly keen to make a move during the January transfer window.

Bruno Ferreira Bonfim, better known as Detinho, strikes the ball with precision and calmness, not forgetting his superb finishing skills. Detinho would be a welcome addition to the squad and would cause extra competition for places upfront.

He rejected a big-money move to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia after opting to stay at ‘Todo Poderoso’ for the time being.

Greek giants Olympiacos are also on the trail of Detinho, their chief scout Niniadis has been spotted at several Corinthians games and with the possibility of linking up with fellow countrymen Dudu and Diogo, the starlet would have several options to choose from in January.

Impressive Arsenal debutant Samir Nasri has been called up to the France squad set to face Sweden after Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa pulled out due to injury.

The 21-year-old former Marseille star scored his first Gunners’ goal against West Brom on Saturday and will be hoping to carry his club form onto country.

Ben Arfa, who was signed by L’OM as a replacement for Nasri, said.

“Physically I’m tired, three matches in a week, it’s not easy with a return like that. As well I hurt my adductors,” said Ben Arfa after helping his side to a 4-0 win over Auxerre in French league action on Sunday.

Nasri’s Arsenal teammates Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy have also been selected after failing to make Raymond Domenech’s squad for Euro2008.

France squad to face Sweden:

Goalkeepers: Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Hugo Lloris (Lyon)

Defenders: Jean-Alain Boumsong (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), William Gallas (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Philippe Mexes (AS Rome), Gael Clichy (Arsenal)

Midfielder: Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Sidney Govou (Lyon)

Strikers: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Karim Benzema (Lyon)

In other news, defenders Håvard Nordtveit and Pedro Botelho have been sent on loan to Spanish Segunda side UD Salamanca.

Norweigan centre-back Nordtveit joined Arsenal last summer from FK Haugesund and was made Reserve team captain, but despite showing early promise, much of his campaign was blighted by injury.

Håvard will join fellow Arsenal loanee Pedro Botelho at the Spanish club and is likely to make his competitive debut for Salamanca in the first league game of the season, at home to Alaves on August 31st.