Wenger to buy midfield general for Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is lining up a move for midfielder Odil Ahmedov who plies his trade in Russia. The Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder was considered by the Gunners for a move 12 months ago. Ahmedov wants to catch Arsenal’s eye this summer, according to the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old Uzbekistan star said: "I would like, if I had the choice, to play for Arsenal." Russia's star striker Andrei Arshavin will captain his country's campaign at the Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland, coach Dick Advocaat announced on Monday. "Arshavin is going to be the captain," the Dutchman, who is stepping down from his post after the Euros to return to PSV Eindhoven, told reporters, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. Arshavin has appeared rejuvenated in the last months after rejoining his old club Zenit on a loan deal from England's Arsenal in February, helping the Saint Petersburg side to a league victory with a string of crucial goals. His return to Zenit after a sometimes lacklustre three years at Arsenal was seen as ensuring his place in the national side. Arshavin's scintillating performance in Euro 2008 was instrumental in helping Russia to the semi-finals. Russia have been placed with co-hosts Poland, the Euro-1996 finalists Czech Republic and the 2004 European champions Greece in the Euro-2012 Group A, which however is considered to be the easiest group of the event. Advocaat, who took Russian football by surprise by announcing he would not be extending his contract after the Euros, suggested that Russia could even be an outside bet to take the title. "When people talk about the Euro, they all talk about the Netherlands, Spain and Germany," he said. "But if we can play our kind of football as we are capable then we could be dark horse favourites," he added.