Arshavin has drawn criticism this season for some below-par performances, and was again bitterly disappointing in the 1-0 Carling Cup defeat at Ipswich on Wednesday night, replaced for the final 10 minutes by Carlos Vela. Reports have suggested the 29-year-old - signed from Zenit St Petersburg in January 2009 - could be set for a £17million move to Juventus. However, the Arsenal manager insisted Arshavin, who once netted all four goals in a sensational personal display at Liverpool, is going nowhere. "We have had no contact," Wenger said. "As soon as a player doesn't play fantastically well, he is criticised. We all know that. I am very happy with Arshavin. "I believe he is a great player - he is going through a period where it is more difficult for him at the moment. "But he works very hard in training - his attitude is fantastic and I am desperate to keep him. "He played almost every single game since the start of the season and has played for his national team as well. Physically he is a bit less fresh." Arshavin could be back on the bench for Saturday afternoon's late kick-off at Premier League bottom club West Ham. Wenger continued: "After a breather of a few games he will come back stronger than ever because he works very hard in training. "As far as I know, I believe he and his wife are happy in London, but what is very important as well is that I am very happy with him." Wenger also rejected suggestions veteran goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, currently recovering from an ankle problem, was set to join Galatasaray and refused to be drawn on any of his transfer targets. Arsenal are in the market for a central defender, and have been linked with West Ham's Matthew Upson, who left the Gunners in 2003, as well as Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill, Montpellier's Bosnia and Herzegovina international Emir Spahic and Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker. "The players we have signed recently, especially the defenders, you would never have guessed - not [Thomas] Vermaelen or [Laurent] Koscielny. Let us surprise you if we do something," the Arsenal boss said. Wenger is also said be a keen admirer of Southampton's £10million-rated 17-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. However, the Gunners boss once more was giving little away. "One day this player goes to Chelsea, one day to Man United, one day to Liverpool and one day to Arsenal. We are not close to signing anybody at the moment," Wenger said. Arsenal could close the gap at the top down to two points as leaders Manchester United do not play until Sunday at Tottenham. Wenger, though, accepts there can be no repeat of their terrible display against Ipswich, where they lost 1-0. "If you play like that at West Ham you will lose. We will not play like that at West Ham," he said.
