Yesterday he was quoted as saying that the Swede still "has a lot to offer" the Arsenal, but as expected the rumours persisted. At today's press conference, ostensibly about tomorrow's game at Ewood Park, he tried to make things as clear as possible.

Wenger admits that Freddie had been uncertain about his future, as you'd expect given the competition he faces in midfield since the arrivals of Alexander Hleb, Tomas Rosicky, and Theo Walcott (not to mention the fact that Robin van Persie, Julio Baptista, Denilson, Cesc Fabregas, and probably others I've forgotten have all been used in positions which Freddie's played in). But,

"Freddie will stay here," says Le Boss, "I made a statement on our website that Freddie is and will be part of our squad. He knows that and I have clarified that with him this week."

In return, Freddie says he accepts that there is competition, and he is ready for it. And Wenger goes on to say that Freddie is a winner and "a big game player". Quite right, too.

The news about Jeremie Aliadiere is exactly the same.

Wenger says, "I do not want to lose him because I have worked for seven years with him now. He is a super player and I do not want to sell him. He does not want to go on loan, he wants to play somewhere and I can understand that. He has three more years on his contract and I hope he will see that out."

Whether or not Jeremie will in fact stay remains to be seen. He's done the loan thing already and for the sake of his career he probably needs a bit of stability and to start playing more regularly. But given that Wenger chose to sell Anthony Stokes and not to recall Nicklas Bendtner or Arturo Lupoli from their loans, there must be room for Aliadiere to get a few games this season, especially if we maintain our progress on all 4 fronts. If he can maintain the progress he showed with his superb display against Liverpool in the League Cup quarter-final, there's even a chance that he could challenge van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor for their places. It'd be a surprise if he won a very regular position though, so we still think he'll leave in the summer if not before.

Wenger also says that he'd like Lauren to stay till the end of the season at least, but says that the defender's case is different because he will be out of contract in the summer. He has therefore been free to talk to other clubs about a summer move, since the start of the year. And the implication is that if such clubs want to pay to take him now rather than in May, Arsenal won't stand in the way.