Everyone at Arsenal is delighted with the news that Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere have both been called up to the full England squad for the first time, for the Three Lions' forthcoming friendly against Hungary.

Defender Kieran, 20, said: "It's a welcome surprise to have been called up by Fabio Capello to the England squad for the first time.

"It is always an honour to play for my country at any level but it is a special moment to be called up to the first team squad."

"To reach my full potential, it's important that I keep on improving all aspects of my game and this call up will certainly be a great learning experience for me. I just want to make the most of every opportunity I am given to better my game."

"I have to say this a real boost for me as I spent over five months out through injury and this is a good opportunity to thank the surgeons and medical support I've received to get me back to full fitness."

"Naturally my top priority at this moment in time is to get back to the level I was at before my injury and get some games under my belt with Arsenal, but of course, I would love to cement a place in the England team in the future."

After receiving the news, 18 year-old midfielder Jack said: "I'm delighted to have been named in the Senior England squad for the first time. It is a real honour and I'm looking forward to the experience."

"I'm also realistic and want to take things one step at a time. Being called up to the England squad is a proud moment for me and my family, but my first target is to break into the Arsenal team and play on a regular basis. To achieve that, I need to keep my head down, work hard and stay focussed."

Kieran and Jack, together with Theo Walcott, who has also been called up, will join up with the England squad on Sunday after returning from Arsenal's pre-season friendly with Legia Warsaw in Poland on Saturday night.

England play Hungary in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Barcelona have surged past Manchester United in the chase for Werder Bremen's Mesut Oezil, according to a report in Spain.

The Bundesliga club have reportedly accepted a bid of between €12m-€15m for the 21-year old, say Sport.es.

Barcelona are waiting for the approval of coach Pep Guardiola before discussing personal terms with Oezil, whose Werder deal expires next summer. If the trainer gives his blessing, the move should be a formality.

Oezil previously commented on a switch to the Blaugrana, stating that to play alongside Lionel Messi would be enough to persuade him to join.

Arsène Wenger has confirmed the Premier League's new ‘homegrown rule' will not affect Arsenal.

However the manager is still against the new squad rules as he believes it could compromise the quality of football in England's top flight.

Under the new regulations each Premier League club will have to name a first-team squad of no more than 25 players, of which a maximum of 17 may not be homegrown players. Players born on or after January 1, 1989 do not need to be registered as part of the 25-man squad.

Arsenal's current first-team squad contains 26 players, of which 13 are counted as homegrown, and seven are Under-21s.

Nonetheless, Wenger is not in favour of the new ruling. Speaking during the weekend's trip to Poland, the manager explained why.

"The homegrown rule will not affect us," he said. "But I feel that when you want to be the best league in the world the restriction is bad.

"The only focus for me in life has to be quality in a competitive world and not [your] passport or where you have been educated.

"What is most important is that if you are good enough you can play where you want. If you want to be the best league in the world you have to respect that."

Arsène Wenger wants Arsenal supporters to show due respect to William Gallas if he lines up against them in the North London derby.

The French defender was set to move to Tottenham on a free transfer on Friday just weeks after his contract at Emirates Stadium expired.

Gallas turned down the chance of a new deal with Arsenal and would be the first major player to cross the North London divide since former Spurs captain Sol Campbell moved to Highbury nine years ago.

Campbell has been subjected to verbal abuse whenever he has returned to play at White Hart Lane since that surprise transfer and Wenger hopes that Gallas is not targeted in a similar way when the local rivals meet at the Emirates on Sunday, November 21.

"In the derby, Gallas might be exposed to fan chants and things like that," admitted the Arsenal boss.

"I hope it isn't the same [as it was for Campbell]. You always want your fans to show respect for people that have played for your club.

"We do not always get it because there are always excessive reactions but the biggest part of the Club will understand that.

"I don't think it is a major problem for Gallas. I personally accept completely that he goes to Spurs because he has not found an agreement with us and then we must accept he signs where he wants."

Arsène Wenger has left the door open for more than one signing before the transfer window slams shut.

The Arsenal manager started the summer by snapping up Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh and French defender Laurent Koscielny but he is still in the market for players before the deadline passes on September 1.

At his pre-match press conference on Friday, Wenger admitted that he was "short numbers-wise" when it came to centre backs while the Frenchman has also been linked with a move for a new goalkeeper.

It would be a surprise if Wenger does not have one new signing to unveil before the start of next month and he is not ruling out the possibility of more.

"It depends on the opportunities," he said.

"It is difficult for me to say 'I don't buy anybody any more' and it is difficult to say 'I will bring two or three more players' if I am not on the verge of signing anyone."