Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has warned Arsenal that Brede Hangeland will not be allowed to leave Craven Cottage without a fight. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a known as an admirer of the Norway international defender.

"As far as we're concerned we want Brede Hangeland to stay with us here," Hodgson said. "We are going to be as desperate as a club can be to hold onto him.

"In the meantime the speculation will be abounding and we will get on with the job and try not to be too disturbed by them.

"He is happy here at Fulham and not desperately seeking a move elsewhere but we also know there are bigger clubs out there than Fulham and if one comes along we'll have to deal with the situation.

"Let's hope that is a bridge we don't have to cross."

"It's no surprise he has been linked with clubs because really good quality centre-halves are always at a premium," he added.

"When a club like Arsenal - or Manchester City or Liverpool - when they lose a player the attention will always turn towards who the other good centre-backs are in the Premier League and who they could be looking at.

"Arsenal have done their business very quietly and they keep things to themselves. We have had no contact with Arsenal and whether there is an interest only Arsene knows.

"When I see him interviewed he says he has enough centre-halves and is not in the market for one. Only he knows what his true feelings are."