Daniel Agger
Agger does not want to play second fiddle at LiverpoolReuters

Arsenal are reportedly lining up a shock bid for Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, even though the Dane has been tipped to return to former club Brondby.

Although the Reds boss Brendan Rodgers had earlier stated that Agger would not be allowed to leave under any circumstances this summer, the club would be forced consider bids after the defender made it clear that he does not want to play second fiddle at Anfield.

"It is no secret that I had problems last season and I am considering things," the 29-year-old said. "How things turned out last season is not sustainable for me. I am here now and it is up to me to show the coach that I should play."

After the arrival of Dejan Lovren from Southampton, Agger has been linked with a move to his former side Brondby, with club chairman Jan Bech Andersen insisting that they would do everything in their power to secure the defender's signature.

"We will work really, really hard to secure Daniel but as he has also said, when he was here with Liverpool, the timing has to be right," ESPN quoted Andersen as saying.

However, according to the Daily Star, the Gunners are now reportedly looking to sign Agger as a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, who is expected to leave the Emirates this summer.

Arsene Wenger is in the market for a new centre-back, with skipper Vermaelen heavily linked to both Barcelona and Manchester United

Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain feels the Gunners have been boosted by the addition of new talents this summer.

Arsenal have spent a considerable amount of money this summer to bring in Aexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Calum Chambers (Southampton), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United) and David Ospina (Nice). And Chamberlain believes that the signings have proved their worth in the preseason.

"I think you could see out there the boys were excited to get going, we know there's a lot of exciting players around the squad this year. With the likes of Alexis coming in with Debuchy and Chambers - we've got an extra spring in our step. There's competition for places and everyone wants to make an impression on the boss," the youngster told the club's official website.

Chamberlain is also certain that Yaya Sanogo, who found the net four times as Arsenal registered a crushing 5-1 win over Benfica in their opening fixture of the Emirates Cup, will do well this season.

"I'm really happy for Yaya, he's been aiming to get a goal on the board for a little while so to get four is a statement," the 20-year-old added. "I'm looking forward to seeing him this season and hopefully he can push on and help the squad."