ARSENAL a rumoured to be lining up a massive £12 million pound raid on Lyon for winger Hatem Ben Arfa writes James Randall .

The Gunners boss Arsene Wenger - who has a huge transfer kitty thanks to the club's move to the Emerites stadium - told a French TV channel of his interest in Arfa.

Wenger said:"He is a great player - and Arsenal is a potential destination for any great player."

Manchester United are also said to be keen on the unsettled 21- year old, and Arfa did little to quell the rumours: Stating: "I am not happy with my current situation at Lyon. I am a competitor, and I want to play in matches."

The Frenchman was absent from Wednesday night's French squad to face England, and will hope a move to a bigger club may give him more chance of returning to the national team.