According to the News of the World, the 18-year-old sensation has impressed fromer Holland international Bergkamp, who is now a coach at Dutch giants Ajax.

The teenager featured for his country at this summer's World Cup 2010, where he appeared as a substitute in the 3-1 loss to Japan, and showed a glimpse of his potential.

Ajax boss Martin Jol is desperate to keep hold of his midfielder though and tied him down to new deal recently that will run until 2014.

However, with interest from Premier League behemoths Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea intensifying, it appears that his resolve will be tested over the forthcoming months.

Arsenal have moved significantly closer to securing the services of FC Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny, according to a report from The Sun.

The report claims French sources have confirmed that the player will move within the next few days, after terms were agreed on a deal worth £8.5 million for the 24-year-old.

The Gunners are believed to have had two bids for the player rejected already.

Koscielny is expected to ink a four-year contract worth £25,000 a week shortly, and is apparently seen by manager Arsene Wenger as the ideal replacement for William Gallas.

Alex Song has spoken of his appreciation for manager Arsène Wenger, for giving him his chance in the first-team last season.

Song stepped up as a consistent performer and key player for Arsenal last season, with some solid and mature defensive midfield performances.

Speaking at Arsenal.com's kit launch, the midfielder spoke about his individual displays last season, as well as the team's bad luck with injuries.

The Cameroon international believes if Arsenal can keep their players fit next season, they will be a different prospect both in the league and in Europe.

He said: "This season we lost very many players [to injury], very good players. It's very difficult when you lose so many players, but I hope next season we won't have any injuries. I think if we have everyone in the squad fit we will be a different team.

"Everyone wants to play the big games, I think for next season we will be ready.

"Everyone can see [that I've improved as a player]. They can see I'm more confident and the other plays have more confidence in me. That's why I just try to give my best in every game.

"I would like to just say thank you to the boss because he has given me a lot of credit, that's why today I'm very happy."

*

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is prone to nervousness ahead of big matches.

That anxiety means that he is prone to making high-profile errors, in the view of his boss.

Wenger has been linked with a move for Fulham 'keeper Mark Schwarzer as he looks to strengthen an area in which a lack of consistency and depth hampered the Gunners over the course of last season.

The Frenchman expects to have some news on the situation after the World Cup has finished.

"Manuel Almunia is a talented goalkeeper. In training, he is superb, the only problem is that he gets nervous on big matches, thereby making silly mistakes," Wenger told Kenyan newspaper The Standard.

"After the World Cup, we will be making an announcement on [the] goalkeeping [situation at Arsenal]."

Meanwhile, Wenger is also optmistic that the coming season will see the Gunners start delivering silverware again.

"This could be the season that we start getting trophies. Another invincible team is seen coming [soon], if not this season," he pledged.

Wenger has also been impressed with the way in which South Africa has hosted this summer's World Cup, but believes that there must be a legacy of development for the Afrcian game as a whole once the tournament ends.

"South Africa has done a great job and exceeded expectations. The people are so passionate about the game, stadiums are full, the infrastructure is fantastic and the general organisation is marvellous," he said.

"There are very good and talented players in Africa. We need to have youth academies because that is the only way to develop the game. Give the youth a chance and have faith in them, remain principled and be patient."

The Frenchman was disappointed with the disastrous way in which his country's side performed in South Africa, with team spirit clearly a massive problem for Raymond Domenech's men.

"Well, I’m not supposed to talk about the national team because you all know what happened, but I think there was a problem between the manager and the players," said the Arsenal gaffer.

"This affected the team spirit on and off the pitch."

And a lack of collective spirit also cost England, whose campaign blundered and stumbled to a second round exit.

He also felt that it was a mistake for Fabio Capello to leave Theo Walcott at home.

"They [England] had a good manager, but there was no teamwork," he explained.

"The team was not united, with the captaincy changing hands so many times before the World Cup. They also never had a plan B.

"It was clearly evident the same team that started went on to play all the matches, apart from just one change in attack. You need to have players for different situations and challenges.

"It was a big mistake [not to take Walcott]. Walcott is a player who can change a game upside down in the second-half in your favour. He has speed and can cause a lot of problems for the opponents."

When asked if any players in particular had impressed him, Wenger answered: "Yes, [Mesut] Oezil (Germany) and Giovanni Dos Santos of Mexico."

He also offered an update on the ongoing saga surrounding Cesc Fabregas and the Spain star's possible move to Barcelona.

"I do not see him leaving soon," he said.