Arsenal row over Kanu and Lauren

Arsenal are embroiled in another club-versus-country dispute - this time involving defender Lauren and striker Nwankwo Kanu.

Both are wanted by their countries for the African Nations Cup in Mali in January and February - Lauren by Cameroon and Kanu by Nigeria. And with the two nations also qualified for the World Cup finals, the respective associations regard the African tournament as valuable preparation for the competition in Japan and South Korea.

The problem for manager Arsene Wenger is that Cameroon and Nigeria want their players released on 28 December for a tournament that doesn't start until 19 January.

If Cameroon and Nigeria progress to the final then it will be mid-February before the players return.

Wenger finds that unacceptable and will be talking to football authorities in both countries in a bid to have the call-up date delayed until after their FA Cup tie against Watford on 5 January.

It is the second time Arsenal have been involved in such a clash inside a month. In November, they eventually lost the fight with the French Football Federation to stop four players travelling to Australia for a friendly.

Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira and Sylvain Wiltord went and only Thierry Henry was left behind because of an ankle injury.

"The demands of the federations are ridiculously high," said Wenger. "The tournament starts on 19 January and I think it is reasonable for a player to go one week before it starts. We will be talking to both associations to see if we can release them after the game against Watford. I think that would be acceptable.

"For them to go on 28 December is ridiculous. It is unbelievably long. They could be gone for more than four weeks."

Wenger knows that the players will be reluctant to protest in case they jeopardise their World Cup places, but he argued: "I cannot see Cameroon and Nigeria going to the finals without Lauren and Kanu."

There was further bad news for Wenger ahead of the clash with West Ham at Upton Park tomorrow. Swedish international Fredrik Ljungberg is out with a back injury. Holland's Giovanni van Bronckhorst or Brazilian Edu will replace him.

Van Bronckhorst has struggled since his £6 million move from Glasgow giants Rangers, but Wenger said: "I am confident he will be a big asset for this club.

"He had eight months out last season with an injury and that has been a factor."

West Ham v Arsenal
3pm, tomorrow, Upton Park

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