Arsenal aren't prepared to pay the right price for my client claims Samir Handanovic's agent Federico Pastorelli.

The Slovenia international was heavily linked with a switch to England, but Arsenal's failure to feather-bed their cause means discussions between the Friulan outfit and the Gunners didn't go as planned.

"Handanovic will not be moving. Arsenal have decided not to spend big money to buy a goalkeeper," Pastorello told tuttomercatoweb. He quickly discounted other reports concerning the Udinese shot-stopper: "To Fiorentina or Juventus? These clubs don't need goalkeepers, he won't leave."

Arsene Wenger said something very apt a few months back about the media and their seemingly unquenchable thirst tout the top Premier League players away from this country with their continued reports. The Frenchman certainly makes a valid point and while the vermin from Fleet Street will never change, you have to question why the FA and PL have failed to intervene themselves and look to take action against the associations of other countries, in this instance Spain, and demand that Football’s governing bodies take action against the actions of the association’s members. Manchester United suffered at the hands of Real Madrid last summer, while Arsenal continues to face a daily bombardment from Barcelona.

While we all know that the FA are renowned for turning a blind eye to confrontation, it would certainly make a refreshing change to see them show they have some substance and look to intervene here for the sake of its members. They could gain some real credibility here among clubs and supporters alike by making a real stand and subsequently ensuring that our top Premier League players remain in England.

It is scandalous in truth and Arsenal is falling victim to same shameless touting that United endured on a daily basis for months with Cristiano Ronaldo. In truth United didn’t have the majority of the Real team and management staff passing comment on the situation, like the Gunners are currently facing, but none the less they watched as their best player had his head turned and subsequently got his move. I know Arsenal is intent on making their own stand against Barcelona by rejecting all approaches, but you do sense the damage has already been done.  Fabregas will arguably continue to show professionalism if any such move isn’t granted and he remains in North London, but does Arsenal really want a player whose heart is perhaps elsewhere?

It is shocking what is going on and even more so that nobody is intervening to safeguard the integrity of the game. The FA owe it to its members to protect them in light of what has is clearly pure provocation. How many more of the Premier League’s best players will have to leave before somebody in Soho Square scratches their head and wonders why the standards have suddenly dropped and we no longer possess the most competitive league in the world and subsequently the most marketable? There is a huge amount at stake and that is why the likes of the PL and FA need to pull their fingers out and fight fire with fire.

According to a report today, Arsene Wenger is not in a hurry to sign another defender as backup to Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen, because he is nearly certain that Sol Campbell will re-sign for another year at Arsenal.

The London Standard “understands” that as soon as Campbell returns from his honeymoon, he will be back down to London to continue where he left off last season.

With Koscielny being inexperienced in the Premiership, and Johan Djourou possibly needing time to readjust after a year off through injury, the Standard believes that Arsenal will start the season with Campbell and Vermaelen as their main two centre-backs until the other two are up to speed.

Campbell has publicly held talks with Newcastle, Sunderland and Celtic, but believes he still has at least one year left in him at the highest level of the Premier League, and although keen on playing for Celtic at some point, he would rather leave it for at least one more year.

Could Chamakh and Koscielny really be the sum total of new arrivals at Arsenal this summer?

Arsène Wenger admits he harbours a double sadness over the departure of Eduardo.

The Arsenal manager sold the Croatian striker to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday to end a three-year spell at Emirates Stadium. Unfortunately, despite a promising start, Eduardo's time in North London will be forever remembered for the broken leg he suffered at Birmingham in February 2008.

It took him a year to recover but, after that, first-team opportunities were scarce. It was that which prompted Wenger to let him go.

"I believe he is at the stage where he has to play and we could not guarantee him that time," said the manager after the 3-0 win at Sturm Graz, "That is why [I allowed him to leave].

"I believe he has another opportunity now.

"But it makes me sad twice - because it reminds me how he got injured and because he is an outstanding guy. We wish him well but he is 27 years of age now and he needs to play."

Arsene Wenger has suggested Jack Wilshere will be part of Arsenal's first-team squad this season rather than head back out on loan.

The 18-year-old midfielder impressed while on loan at Bolton Wanderers during the second half of the last campaign.

The Trotters are keen to re-sign the highly-rated teenager, but Wenger has dropped a strong hint that Wilshere will stay at the Emirates Stadium this term.

Wilshere started Wednesday's 3-0 pre-season friendly victory over Austrian side Sturm Graz.

"At the moment, I want Jack to gain experience and, if possible, at Arsenal. I will give him a chance to play - now," said Wenger.

"I want to see if he can integrate with the first team. Of course, I will make that decision later. Ideally, it is better that he gains experience with us.

"Jack has done well. I am keen not to create too much hype around the young English players because they need to work hard.

"We do have outstanding English talent at this club, though."

Meanwhile, Wenger insists the door remains open for Sol Campbell to stay with the Gunners despite the out of contract defender also being offered terms by Sunderland and Celtic.