Having signed David Bentley from Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur have now reportedly agreed personal terms with Andrei Arshavin, and now need only to agree a fee with his club, Zenit St Petersburg.

According to Andrei Arshavin’s agent, Dennis Lachter a deal that would take the Russian playmaker to White Hart Lane is on the verge of being completed, but is being held up by Zenit St Petersburg, who are seeking the highest possible price for their star player.

Nevertheless, all parties are said to be hopeful that a transfer will be finalised by early next week at the latest, possibly before.

“I am very optimistic about this deal but it is not easy - as usual with Russian clubs,” Lachter told Sky Sports News.

“The next few days will see if he can confirm this move to Spurs.

“Andrei likes the way Juande Ramos is going to play at Tottenham and this is the main point of our decision - not only the money but the desire of the manager to have the player.”

Pressed by Sky on when the deal for Arshavin would be completed, Lachter replied: “I hope in the next five days, maximum.”

Ref From Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has lauded his young guns for the impact they have had already this pre-season.

The Gunners followed up a 10-2 romp against the Burgenland XI, with a come-from-behind win against VfB Stuttgart last night, with new boys Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere again amongst the goals, as well as established youngster Nicklas Bendtner.

After Yildiray Basturk has put the hosts ahead, Vela equalised after good work from Bendtner, before the Dane himself then capitalised on a give-and-go involving the young Mexican to grab his side’s second.  Finally Jack Wilshere produced another fine strike to seal the win for Arsenal.

Wenger told Arsenal TV: “It is good for the confidence to win here and you could see that the young players did well again. I believe the strikers have shown it can work.

“Vela is a little bit like Eduardo da Silva, and Nicklas we already know from the end of last season is a very powerful striker. They both did very well.”

On Wilshire, Wenger, said: “He has talent and gets experience in these kinds of games, he learns a lot, but he is here for that.”

There was also a debut for summer signing Samir Nasri, who rather surprisingly was fielded as an orthodox central midfielder rather than as an attacker.

“It was a very positive performance for his first game,” added Wenger. “He has all it takes to be a good player in this team.”

Ref From Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Arsenal’s Robin van Persie and Manuel Almunia gave their thoughts on former team-mate, Jens Lehmann, who they will meet this evening in a friendly clash against VfB Stuttgart…

Van Persie spent a large portion of last season out due to injury, with Lehmann also spending most of the campaign on the sidelines, with his outspoken protests playing no small part in his eventual departure.

The 38-year-old left the Emirates Stadium at the end of his contract and joined VfB Stuttgart on a free transfer shortly before Euro 2008, in which he was a losing finalist with Germany.

Lehmann will now make his debut for Stuttgart against his old club and van Persie this evening. “I am hoping to play so we will see what it brings,” said the Dutch forward.

“Jens a fantastic goalkeeper. He is almost 39 but he is still a fantastic goalkeeper and a nice man as well.

“He has lots of humour so I always have a good laugh with him, and I am happy he is still in the game because he’s a real professional.

“It’s good fun to see him and I hope I get the chance to score many goals against him like I did in training!”

Almunia, the man who took Lehmann’s spot and publicly feuded with him for months as a result, now only has praise for the eccentric German. “Jens was always a very competitive goalkeeper who always wanted to win and play. I have much respect for him,” said the Spaniard, who is considering the possibility of becoming a naturalised Englishman to represent the Three Lions.

He explained that, in the post-Lehmann world, life is harmonious between the Gunners’ three keepers. “As for [Lukasz] Fabianski and [Vito] Mannone, we are working very well together, we have a very good relationship,” he revealed. “We are three very nice guys and we try to work every day for ourselves and for the team of course.

“Also [goalkeeping coach] Gerry Peyton is very easy to work with and at the moment I am enjoying training.

“Lukasz and Vito have both improved because they are young and they have room to improve and become great goalkeepers.

“As one of the oldest players in the team I will try to help them and the other young players.”

Meanwhile Abou Diaby, who has been touted to fill the void left by Mathieu Flamini after he left for Milan on a free transfer this summer, has full faith in the side currently assembled at the club. “It’s good, we came here to prepare well,” he told the club’s official website.

“It is 10 days together and we have built the foundation for the season ahead. We are prepared and we have tried to work a lot, to practise our best game. It has been good for us.”

Ref From Chet Winter, Goal.com