Bergkamp set to sign new deal

Arsenal are confident that Dennis Bergkamp will sign a new one-year contract within the next 48 hours.

The former Dutch international has been wrangling over an improved contract after the Gunners asked him to take a pay cut.

Bergkamp, 34, remained in Holland instead of returning to pre-season training and although his agent initially hit out at Arsenal's " embarrassing" offer, it now appears that the two sides have reached a compromise for the player who has turned down a move to Bolton. If he completes the signature he will join the club for their pre-season tour of Austria next week.

Meanwhile, Arsenal may have to fight a legal challenge to their new stadium plans in the European Court of Human Rights.

Two residents unhappy with the £400million Ashburton Grove project have applied to have their case heard in Strasbourg after failing to convince British courts that Islington Council were wrong to give the go ahead.

If they are allowed to pursue the challenge it will be another hurdle for the scheme which has been dogged by funding difficulties.

Costs have escalated and there are suggestions that problems in securing financing have seriously affected manager Arsene Wenger's transfer budget and the club's ability to convince Patrick Vieira to sign a new deal.

Charlie Hopkins, solicitor for the residents, said: "We are taking the case to Strasbourg and it may be months before a decision is reached."