Wenger Considers French Midfield Duo - Report

Arsenal have stepped up interest in French teenager George-Kevin Nkoudou. The Mirror reports the 17-year-old, who plays for Nantes, would be available for as little as £1m, due to a release clause in his contract.

A number of top European clubs, including the Portuguese duo of FC Porto and Benfica, are also believed to be interested but it is thought Arsene Wenger's French connections will swing the deal in the Gunners' favour.

The Emirates club is short of options out wide, with England international Theo Walcott deployed as a central striker and Gervinho away with the Ivory Coast national team for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey have both been deployed on the right wing in recent matches but Wenger is believed to want natural cover for the position. Arsenal were linked with a move for Championship youngster Wilfried Zaha but Premier League leaders Manchester United are favourites to sign the Crystal Palace forward.

Arsenal Eye Gourcuff

Meanwhile, Arsenal are also considering a deal for cut-price Olympique Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder may be available for as little as £3m, according to the Metro, after injuries and poor form have all but derailed his career at the Stade de Gerland. The former AC Milan playmaker signed in 2009 for £20m.

Wenger was interested in the midfielder last season as well but The Sun quoted the French manager as claiming the player's poor injury record was why no bid was lodged, allowing Gourcuff to transfer from Girondins Bordeaux to Lyon. The Gunners' interest now, however, will have to consider the fact the player is on an annual contract worth £4m in France.

Gourcuff has made only eight Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon this season (six starts) and 12 appearances overall, with only one goal to his name. The Metro's report indicates Russian club Spartak Moscow are also interested in his services.

Wenger on Wilshere

Finally, Wenger believes there are no limits on what England midfielder Jack Wilshere can achieve. However, the long-serving Gunners boss says he is concerned at the amount of pressure on the 21-year-old, to perform consistently for both club and country.

"What is important is the day he will have made his career and can think, 'I have been as good as I could have hoped to be. I believe the most important thing is that he has talent and loves football. As long as he loves football, he will improve. So let's keep that important ingredient in the development of a player right, and not make them feel that they have nothing to grow for," Wenger was quoted as saying.