French kid Guillaume Norbert could be the next young Gunner to head for the exit. Returning after a knee injury, he has been sent to Reading on a month's loan, with a view to a permanent move.

The club announced in August that he could leave on a free transfer - but despite the 'can't lose' terms, no-one seems to have come in for him until now.

'Arsenal feel he is not going to get into the Premiership with them but I know their academy staff rate him highly,' says Reading boss Alan Pardew. 'He has enough talent to make the grade, but I have to see if he has the other attributes needed in the Second Division.' Ominous...