Arsenal are believed to be ready to challenge Chelsea for the summer signature of Newcastle star Hatem Ben Arfa, according to Mirror Football.

The France international is currently on Euro 2012 duty for Les Bleus, and after an impressive 2011-12 season for the Tyneside club has emerged as a possible transfer target for a number of the Premier League big boys.

Chelsea are thought to want to bring Ben Arfa to Stamford Bridge at the culmination of the tournament in Ukraine and Poland, but the Gunners are now ready to interject.

Arsene Wenger has already added attackers Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to his Gunners squad, but feels that Ben Arfa would add a creative edge to his side.

Arsenal are thought to be ready to make Newcastle a bid for the winger, and will play on the fact that the player would not be guaranteed a first-team starting jersey at Chelsea.

A number of individual wonder-goals by Ben Arfa will have pushed the attacker's transfer price-tag up, but it is believed that Newcastle are very reluctant to part with him.

By Gareth McKnight

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