Arsenal in shock move for Essien

Arsenal are reported to be lining up a shock loan move for Chelsea midfield ace Michael Essien ahead of the transfer deadline.Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to add a ball-winning midfielder to his ranks following the departure of Alex Song, and is said to be lining up a swoop for Essien.Chelsea are happy to let the Ghana international go and earlier in the week it looked as though an £8million move to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce could be on the cards.However Arsenal are now lining up an eleventh hour swoop and could offer the 29-year-old the chance to stay in London for at least another 12 months.Chelsea would prefer a permanent deal but would also be happy to get his £100,000 a week salary off the wage bill if Fener do not firm up their interest.

Chelsea's Michael Essien Sidelined for Six Months

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will be out of action for up to six months after undergoing knee surgery, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The Ghanaian suffered a cruciate ligament injury last week during pre-season training.

“Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well for his recovery,” Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas told the club’s website. “His team mates and all the staff and I look forward to helping him return to playing as soon as possible.”

Essien, 28, was sidelined for more than six months in 2008 with a similar injury