Arsenal are launching a shock triple raid on Newcastle United. The News of the World says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has targeted Toon trio Shay Given, Steven Taylor and Charles N'Zogbia in an attempt to fix the Gunners' flagging season.

Wenger has been forced into the January sales after seeing his inept troops slide out of the Champions League positions.

Sources close to Given have made it clear they believe he will be sold by the end of the transfer window with Arsenal his preferred destination.

Taylor, 22, has been out of favour at St James' Park for much of the season but has forced his way back into the team recently and Wenger has long been an admirer.

The Geordie signed a £30,000-a-week deal last season but knows he could almost double his money with a move to The Emirates as well as the chance to play under Wenger.

The final part of the jigsaw is French midfielder N'Zogbia who is out of contract at the end of the season and has made it perfectly clear he sees his career away from Tyneside.