Arsenal are considering Olympique Marseille centre-back Nicolas N'Koulou. A report by talkSPORT indicates the Gunners will bid in the summer. Arsene Wenger was believed to be interested at the start of the present campaign but no approach was made at the time.

Nicolas N'Koulou (L)
Reuters

"I want to finish the season strongly and then in June we'll talk about my position. I love Marseille, they have been great to me," the 23-year-old Cameroon international said, adding, when asked about a transfer, "I'm happy here but if we can find something that benefits all parties that would suit me."

The Gunners are short of cover in central defensive positions, with Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny the only options. And given reports have linked the Belgian to Spanish giants Barcelona, Wenger may well need to sign a fourth option in the summer.

However, even if Vermaelen refuses advances from the Catalans, N'Koulou could be a valuable signing. The African is versatile and can play either as a defender or a defensive midfielder and that ability, considering the Emirates club have yet to replace Alex Song (incidentally, also a Cameroon international and now with Barcelona), is likely to prove very useful next season.

In addition, N'Koulou has considerable experience despite his youth - he has 36 senior caps and is presently the captain of the Cameroon national team.

Should N'Koulou be difficult to sign, the Gunners are believed to be considering French international Adil Rami. The Valencia defender may be open to a move but the Spanish club are likely to demand in excess of £15m for the 27-year-old.

Gibbs on Bayern Munich Win

Left-back Kieran Gibbs believes the Gunners redeemed themselves after the 2-0 win over Bayern Munich. Arsenal beat the Bundesliga leaders, at the Allianz Arena, in the second leg of their Champions League knock-out tie. The Premier League club were still eliminated though, after losing the first leg 3-1 and the tie on away goals.

"We are right to get criticism but we're not right to be told that we don't have character in the team. We showed that tonight so anyone who has their doubts can have them," Gibbs said.