Beckham to become a temporary Gunner

LONDON: David Beckham is close to finalizing a deal which will see him prepare for England's next game in February by training with Arsenal.

The Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger revealed the unexpected arrangement that Beckham as a former Manchester United star could never have contemplated emerging, walking into the north London side's training centre at London Colony.
   
"We will help him to get fit and prepare for the season," Wenger told BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday.
   
"There's a good chance that he will come in January, but it's not decided," he added.
   
During his new club Los Angeles Galaxy's close season Beckham will need to prove his fitness ahead of Fabio Capello's first game in charge of England against Switzerland on February 6 at Wembley.
   
Arsenal's training ground at London Colney is within an easy commute from Beckham's Hertfordshire home.
   
The 32-year-old's last game for the Galaxy was a friendly against the Wellington Hurricanes in New Zealand at the start of December.
   
Beckham, coached by Capello at Real Madrid where the pair had an up and down relationship, needs one more international appearance to reach a landmark 100 caps.
   
"He has 99 caps and I hope he will get 100, if not 100 then 120," said Wenger.
   
"At his age he needs to keep fit."

"He comes (only) to keep fit and work hard," added Wenger, dismissing any far fetched notion that Beckham could actually take his place for Arsenal in the Premiership.