Simpson receives offers

Gunners youngster Jay Simpson is close to agreeing a new three-year deal while Derby and West Brom want to take him on loan.

The 20-year-old Arsenal striker, who scored twice on his debut in the Carling Cup tie against Wigan last month, is seen by Arsene Wenger as having a future at the Emirates Stadium.

Derby County and West Bromwich Albion have shown an interest in taking him on loan for the rest of the season, while several other players in Wenger's youthful Carling Cup selection are due to be loaned out for spells now they are out of the competition.

Mark Randall, Keiran Gibbs and Fran Merida are the most likely to be sent out to gain first-team experience.