Manchester City defender Micah Richards admits he has ambitions of playing for Arsenal.

The 19-year-old centre-half has been superb for City in their flying start to life under Sven-Goran Eriksson and he has also performed well at right-back for England.

Richards was born in Birmingham and grew up in Leeds but Arsenal were his favourites as a child and his long-term goal is to be a Gunner.

"I was a big Ian Wright fan when I was younger, so I supported Arsenal," he told Nuts magazine. "Wright and Patrick Vieira were my idols so yeah, if the opportunity came to play for them one day I'd take it.

"But right now I'm concentrating on trying to keep City in the top half, and we've got the players to do it."