Illiasu on trial at Arsenal

ARSENE WENGER is hoping to solve Arsenal's defensive crisis by signing another bargain player from Africa.

Ghana international Shilla Illiasu has joined up with the Gunners on trial during their pre-season tour of Austria and Holland and the Arsenal boss is weighing up a permanent move for the 23-year-old centre-back.

Illiasu, of Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko, played all four of Ghana's games at this summer's World Cup in Germany, when the 'Black Stars' shocked the football world by reaching the last 16.

Wenger has already discovered players like Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue in Africa, who both cost tiny sums but have gone on to become first team regulars.

And with Sol Campbell having been released, and Philippe Senderos sidelined with a dislocated shoulder until at least October, the Gunners boss is desperately short of cover at the back.

He heads into next week's Champions League third qualifying round clash with only three fit central defenders - Kolo Toure, Pascal Cygan and 19-year-old Johan Djourou - with Toure and Djourou having only returned to competitive action in Monday's 8-1 win over FC Schwadorf in Austria.

Meanwhile with Gael Clichy also out for six weeks with a recurrence of a foot injury, Wenger will also be short at left back if, as expected, Ashley Cole leaves the club this week.

The Arsenal boss has already admitted he is worried over next week's clash, in which Arsenal are expecting to face Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.

"Thierry Henry will be short of fitness and Jens Lehmann is suspended so we will be without those two as well as the players who are injured," said Wenger this week.

"It is not ideal as some of the players have not been back with us for long - but the fittest players we have will play in the qualifier next week."

Wenger is hoping to give more of his stars a run-out in Arsenal's final pre-season game against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in Holland tomorrow night (Friday).

After that they will return to England for the weekend before flying out for next week's first leg, with the second leg to come at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, August 23.