Arsenal sign another French star

English Premiership champions Arsenal completed the signing of Bordeaux striker Kaba Diawara this morning - despite a late bid to sign the player by Serie A club Perugia.

The 23 year old has decided to join the overwhelming French influence at the London club under Arsene Wenger and is expected to be one of the named substitutes in Sunday's league battle with Chelsea. Perugia failed to match Arsenal's £3 million fee for the Bordeaux star who is regarded as a future French international and the forward becomes the ninth Frenchman in the Arsenal squad.

Former Internazionale striker Nwankwo Kanu has still not been granted a work permit to play for Arsenal after his £4.5 million transfer. The Nigerian could be three weeks away from first team contention.