ARSENE WENGER BECOMES A REFEREE

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has gone off to referee a charity game in Rome. This implies that Wenger will spend the final few hours of the transfer window in Rome.


Arsene Wenger said Arsenal would be 'very active' on deadline day, but he will be abroad

Arsene Wenger will struggle to be involved in any late-night transfer bids on deadline day, because he is taking part in a charity event in Rome.

Pictures of the Gunners boss at Heathrow airport have emerged on twitter, sparking excitement among Arsenal fans about a potential new signing.

The Frenchman is flying to the Italian capital to take part in a 'Match For Peace' being held at Stadio Olympico and featuring current stars Andrea Pirlo, Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Gianluigi Buffon as well as legends Diego Maradona, Paolo Maldini and Andriy Shevchenko.

Maldini, Shevchenko, Pirlo and Zanetti are among the players travelling to Monday night's game
The event is to promote inter-religious peace through sporting engagement, and has attracted several global superstars.

Club sources at the Emirates Stadium insist Wenger's absence will not affect their ability to close any deadline day deals, though they do not anticipate a busy day in terms of arrivals.

The club missed out on Monaco striker Radamel Falcao to Manchester United and Chelsea's new signing Loic Remy from QPR, but are still hopeful of bringing in cover for injured forward Olivier Giroud.