Wenger says Anelka "99% certain" to not play again for Arsenal

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has told Sky television news that he is "99% certain" that French striker Nicolas Anelka will never play for the club again.

"We will sell him or he won't play at all" Wenger told reporters.

Anelka's transfer to SS Lazio collapsed earlier in the week and the 20 year old has missed all pre season training with the side who play Manchester United at Wembley in a charity game that marks the traditional opening of the English league season. The £22 million move to Rome looks dead and buried at the moment but Anelka has refused to return to London and sent a doctor's note to the club three days ago claiming stress would keep him away from the side he helped to league and cup double in 1998.

The player's agents this morning dismissed reports in the 'L'Equipe' newspaper that Parma AC were willing to sign Anelka next week in a £22 million transfer.

The former PSG player has threatened to take Arsenal to court to try and break his contract which has four years left to run. He wanted to do this to force the move through to Lazio but that option was closed yesterday when the Rome club's president said the chase to sign Anelka had died after two months of negotiations.

Wenger says Arsenal must get at least their "minimum price" if they are to sell Anelka which seems set at the moment at the £22 million agreed by SS Lazio last Monday.