Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT Published: 7 February 2008
Senderos, Hleb pledge futures
Swiss defender wants to fight for place as winger’s agent dismisses Barca link
THE January transfer window may have already closed, but as ever the gossip on who will stay at the Emirates stadium and who will leave is in full flow.
Defender Philippe Senderos has set his sights on retaining a regular place in the Arsenal starting line-up having deputised at the back while Kolo Toure is away representing the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 23-year-old centre-back, who led Switzerland out against England at Wembley last night (Wednesday), has revealed that he intends to continue showing plenty of fight to retain his place at the heart of the Arsenal’s defence.
Senderos said: “At Arsenal, we are having a good season and, for me personally, it is great to be getting a run in the team. “Every time I come into a game, I always try to give my best and try to keep in the team. “Hopefully I will give good problems to the manager. “I always try to fight for my place.”
Meanwhile Alexander Hleb’s agent insists the midfielder wants to stay at Arsenal amid reports of interest from Barcelona.
Speculation in Spain has claimed that the Catalan club have made the Belarus international one of their top summer transfer targets. But the 26-year-old’s agent Niki Spilevski has reportedly confirmed Hleb has no desire to change his surroundings at the end of the season. “I can understand why Barcelona would be interested in Alex. But Alex loves Arsenal. He feels he is at the best club in the world. He has the ideal manager, he loves his team-mates and loves London.”