Premiership clubs are scrambling for Lassana Diarra after he was dropped by Arsenal for tonight's Carling Cup semi against Tottenham.

The Guardian says Newcastle United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Portsmouth have shown an interest in the 22-year-old while Lyon hover more in hope.

At home to Spurs tonight the manager Arsene Wenger has preferred the experience of Gilberto Silva in central midfield alongside Denilson, which has come as a disappointment to Diarra as he started all three of Arsenal's Carling Cup ties this season and was outstanding in the quarter-final win at Blackburn Rovers.