Lauren as Finnan's competitor

[Meursault]

Lauren is available. I think he will be a better buy than Lucas Neill. Same age, same end-of-contract, eligible for CL and Arsenal won't be asking Warnock in exchange.

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that experienced right-back Lauren will be allowed to leave Arsenal in January.

The former Cameroon international has not played for The Gunners since suffering a serious knee injury in a Carling Cup tie against Wigan in January 2006, and after taking a year to recuperate has now been told that he does not have a future at Emirates Stadium.

Skysports.com revealed earlier in the week that West Ham are in talks to bring the versatile performer to Upton Park and Wenger's admission has seemingly paved the way for a move across London.

Whilst the French boss professes to be in the dark over whether Lauren has spoken with Alan Curbishley, Wenger did concede that - after playing a starring role in two Premiership titles and three FA Cup wins - Lauren has been edged out by the emergence of Justin Hoyte and Emmanuel Eboue.

"The problem is that since Lauren got injured I have Justin Hoyte who got promoted, I have Emmanuel Eboue who got promoted and I have Johan Djourou who can play in there too," Wenger told the club's official website.

"It's always the same. You make room for young players and then it is difficult to leave them out again. I feel we have too many players in that position now.

"Lauren is free to talk to anyone because it is the end of his contract but frankly I don't know if he has spoken to West Ham.

"He doesn't have to inform me if he wants to speak to anyone."

Wenger has also stated that whilst Sebastian Larsson is likely to be sold to Birmingham, both Fabrice Muamba and Nicklas Bendtner will be returning to Arsenal at the end of their loan deals.

[Morph]

Lauren is available. I think he will be a better buy than Lucas Neill. Same age, same end-of-contract, eligible for CL and Arsenal won't be asking Warnock in exchange.

Have west ham been linked with every available player this window, or is it just me?

[Parm]

was thinking the same thing earlier, if his injuries have cleared up then he would be a wicked addition for us. Plus we'd have our pen taker sorted out.

[Parm]

Have west ham been linked with every available player this window, or is it just me?

no, they have been,

[lfc4ever]

Have west ham been linked with every available player this window, or is it just me?

I find that amusing too, but seriously, who is going to go there, so they have to be in for anyone & everyone of quality to keep the profile high.

[Meursault]

I find that amusing too, but seriously, who is going to go there, so they have to be in for anyone & everyone of quality to keep the profile high.

well, their attractive-ness comes from the locality as well as having an egghead chairman willing to splurge on contracts.

[Parm]

well, their attractive-ness comes from the locality as well as having an egghead chairman willing to splurge on contracts.

if only we had said egg head benefactor...

[Harv]

we should get him AND Neill...send Palletta on loan to spain then

[Rosco]

we should get him AND Neill...send Palletta on loan to spain then

Then we'd have three right backs and three centre backs........

Since we play two CB's every game and tend to rotate a small bit, if one got injured we'd be fcuked. Two spare right backs wouldn't be much help.

[Shaggy]

Then we'd have three right backs and three centre backs........

Since we play two CB's every game and tend to rotate a small bit, if one got injured we'd be fcuked. Two spare right backs wouldn't be much help.

Neill is comfortable at centre half though, as he showed in the World Cup.

Not sure about Lauren myself - he's not even a bona-fide right back. A midfielder by trade, he was played there by Wenger early in his career (after initially appearing in midfield) and stayed there. Did a good job mind. He's a also a horrible, dirty cnut, which doesn't help.

Mind you so is Neill.

[Guest]

Neil is more adaptable that Lauren, that's why Rafa will sign him. He's also built a dossier on Neil as the best one for that position with the money we've got, doubt we'll be considering Lauren now, and he's been blighted with injuries recently.

Alves is the one I would really like to see signed.

[Ron_Mexico]

i wouldnt want lauren for the simple fact hes been out so long. its going to take him time to settle into playing again, we need someone who can contribute right away for little cash. its got to be neil imo

[Harv]

Then we'd have three right backs and three centre backs........

Since we play two CB's every game and tend to rotate a small bit, if one got injured we'd be fcuked. Two spare right backs wouldn't be much help.

Lucas Neill plays his best football at CB..its just that he can also play RB and LB....so in effect he CAN play anywhere across the back four...pretty handy player to have if you ask me

[El Jefecito]

Lucas Neill plays his best football at CB..its just that he can also play RB and LB....so in effect he CAN play anywhere across the back four...pretty handy player to have if you ask me

Not that you're biased or anything like that!

[hazzamattaz]

Neil would be my first choice left back and also a fill in for the rest of the back line.
As long as he stays on his feet.