The encouraging news comes as Zenit St Petersburg appear to have softened their stance on the fee demanded for Arsenal target Andrei Arshavin.

Although the most drawn-out saga of the transfer window is unlikely to be resolved in time for Arshavin to feature in Arsenal's FA Cup tie at Cardiff on Sunday, it now seems that the parties may at last be moving closer to an agreement, following a week of claim and counter-claim.

Wenger has made the Russian playmaker his number one target, but the Barclays Premier League club will not be held to ransom by Zenit's determination to land a hefty £20million for his services.

Following the rejection of a £12million offer which included add-ons, it now appears a compromise could be reached which would allow Arshavin, 27, to complete his dream move to the Gunners - whom he claims are his "team of the future".

In the meantime Eduardo has claimed he is "ready for the first team", however Wenger may not rush to recall the striker whose leg was broken at Birmingham last season and the player is ready to let his manager decide when he resumes senior duties.

Arshavin may yet feature before Eduardo, as Zenit are resigned to losing their star man and confident matters will be concluded - despite the claims of Arshavin's agent, Dennis Lachter, that their inflated demands were unreasonable.

"We are certainly conducting negotiations directly with the Arsenal chief executive," Zenit general director Maksim Mitrofanov told Russian newspaper Sport Express.

"The footballer's agent is not taking part in them. Because of this he simply does not know all the details of the process of negotiation, and in this sense his comments should not always be trusted.

"As regards the process itself, as I have already said, it is not simple, but it is moving and we hope that it will lead to its logical conclusion."

Arsenal are understood to have set a deadline of Monday for the matter to be resolved one way or another before they would then look to pursue other targets - reported to be West Ham's former Gunners defender Matthew Upson and Le Mans' Ivory Coast striker Gervinho.

The Gunners travel to Wales this weekend looking to maintain the momentum built up during a run which has seen them suffer just one defeat since losing away at Porto in early December.

While the trip to Ninian Park may well come too soon for Eduardo, the striker feels he is closing in on a first-team return.

The Brazil-born Croatia international had been out for almost 10 months but is now stepping up his rehabilitation following another run-out with the reserves last night when he completed a full 90 minutes at Stoke.

"I feel much stronger than I have and I am very happy now," Eduardo, signed from Dinamo Zagreb in July 2007, told www.Arsenal.com.

"I think I am ready for the first team, but you would have to ask the boss.

"I feel very well and I am training hard every day. Of course I want to come back quick and strong. Now, every game for me is a big step.

"In my head and everything I am ready. I am just waiting for my chance."

Meanwhile, German league leaders Hoffenheim have been linked with Nicklas Bendtner, but the 21-year-old Denmark striker - who has hit two goals in his last two appearances - will not be leaving Emirates Stadium.

His father and agent, Thomas Bendtner, told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: "Hoffenheim have shown interest, there are some clubs who call and ask in the transfer window.

"We are pleased that there is interest in him, but leaving is not in our thoughts at the moment. Nicklas will be at Arsenal."

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Wenger has confirmed Pole Lukasz Fabianski would again play in goal this weekend.

However, defender William Gallas (hamstring) is not yet in contention, while full-back Gael Clichy must serve a one-match ban.

"Fabianski will play because it is the FA Cup, maybe one or two others will come in too," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"The team will be comparable to the side which played against Plymouth. It is a tricky cup tie and we want to come out on top.

"As for William Gallas, he will be short for the weekend but he is back in full training so he will be available in a very short period."