Arsenal are making a surprise move for Uzbekistan captain Odil Ahmedov.
The Uzbeks' football federation president Mirabor Usmanov has revealed Arsenal's interest.
The 23-year-old Pakhtakor Tashkent midfielder is on loan at ambitious Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, who signed Brazil legend Roberto Carlos in February.
Usmanov, the president of Uzbekistan Football Federation, claimed Ahmedov's tough-tackling style had caught the attention of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
"Such a flattering offer from the English club was possible thanks to the successful performance of the Uzbekistan team at the 2011 Asian Cup, where the Uzbek team finished fourth," said Usmanov
