Wenger on Diarra - A 'Dunne' deal - Kanu talk

We all know that Lassana Diarra left Arsenal because he wanted regular first team football to enhance his chances of playing at Euro 2008 but Arsene Wenger has accused him of 'panicking' and leaving too soon, telling the official Arsenal magazine that if he had been more patient he would have been given the chance at Arsenal that he wanted: 'I came to the conclusion that Diarra could not cope with the fact that he was behind the other players here in midfield.

'I thought the best option was to let him go because I already had Denilson, Diaby and Gilberto all trying to get into the team as well. It was a congestion.

'I bought Diarra in the summer because I thought Flamini might leave at the end of the season and if he was able to be patient, he would get his chance.

'It turned out he wasn't capable of that. With Euro 2008 in mind, he panicked.

'I did explain when he joined that he might have to be patient, and he acknowledged it, but he couldn't cope with the situation, and also did not want to go on loan anywhere either.'

Maybe he did panic, but are we really that bothered?

The fact that he did meant that we benefited as much as Diarra has from his move to Pompey - lets just hope that we continue to benefit next season...

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A fresh name to the 'linked with Pompey' list today is Richard Dunne.

The Citeh captain looks set to leave the club this summer and it is being claimed today that Harry Redknapp has joined the queue, which includes Spurs, Newcastle and Sunderland in the hunt for the Irish defender - recently voted Irish Player of the Year I believe?

Strengthening the heart of our defence is something that we need, as despite the return of Linvoy Primus for next season - who will be like a new signing - we still need extra cover. John Mensah and Younes Kaboul have both been strongly linked, but should we be able to pick up Dunne, who I would not have thought would cost anymore than the £5m, or thereabouts, that we are being quoted for the others I think he would be well worth a punt...

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And finally, in this little round-up 'claims' are being made by The Sun that we are willing to let Kanu go... providing we can find 'a quality replacement in the coming weeks'.

With Pompey already claiming a contract offer was 'on the table' for the Nigerian, unless we are offering a hugely reduced amount in wages there should not be an issue with him signing it as Kanu has himself said that he does not want more money, he just wants the new deal...

PLAY UP POMPEY!