The 22-year-old only joined the Gunners from Chelsea last summer but has been frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities at the Emirates Stadium.

Diarra will join his new team-mates for training tomorrow and could make his debut in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at home to Derby.

Diarra, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, hopes the move will reignite his career, even though he admits he has ambitions to play for bigger clubs than Pompey.

The player believes it is important now to start playing regular games in the top flight, particularly with Euro 2008 looming, and he feels he will get that at Fratton Park under Harry Redknapp.

"My choice could shock and surprise people, I am conscious of that," Diarra told French daily L'Equipe.

"It isn't Arsenal, it isn't Chelsea. But I know the Portsmouth manager, I know he is going to play me.

"I need to play. I really want to think about myself, about those who appreciate me, who want to see me a little more on the pitch.

"I am 22 and the most important thing for me is football, my job, my passion.

"I read that the club [Arsenal] wanted to keep me. But when you want to keep someone, you do it by playing them. This hasn't been the case.

"I am very happy. I feel better already because I know I am going to play and string together matches."

With Sulley Muntari, Papa Bouba Diop, John Utaka and Kanu away on international duty in the African Nations Cup, Diarra should be thrown straight into Pompey's starting line-up by Redknapp.

Diarra admits he will be using Portsmouth to showcase his talents in the hope bigger European clubs come in for him later in his career.

But, for the moment, he is satisfied he has made the right choice.

"The people at Portsmouth know I will not spend my life at this club," he added.

"If I shine, if a really big club wants me, I know already that everything will go well.

"Portsmouth are a respectable club who are enjoying a good start to the season. There are talented players here - (Sol) Campbell, Kanu, Benjani (Mwaruwari), Muntari, (Glen) Johnson, (David) James.

"Some are already saying that in going to Portsmouth, I am making a mistake regarding by chances with Les Bleus.

"But I don't think so. I have thought about it."

Paris-born Diarra began his career with Le Havre before moving to Chelsea in 2005.

He was named the club's young player of the year after his first season but made just 31 appearances in two years and agreed to a £2million move to Arsenal.

Redknapp believes he has pulled off a coup in landing the player.

He told the club's website, portsmouthfc.co.uk: "He's a fantastic midfield player.

"In my opinion he's already one of the best midfield players in the Premier League and has the ability to be one of the best there is.

"He's strong, powerful, quick and can pass the ball. You don't play for France for the last nine or 10 games unless you're top quality.

"I'm delighted he has decided to sign for us rather than a host of other clubs. It's great news for Portsmouth Football Club."

* Reputed Tottenham target Fred has ended speculation about his future by announcing he will be staying with LYON until the end of the season.

QPR have completed the signing of defender Damien Delaney from Coca-Cola Championship rivals Hull for an undisclosed fee.

BOLTON have signed Matt Taylor from Portsmouth on a three-and-a-half year deal.

BIRMINGHAM have agreed an undisclosed fee with Everton for James McFadden, the Merseyside club have announced.

BORO target Afonso Alves could be on his way to AZ Alkmaar after a Dutch football association arbitration committee gave a provisional verdict.

NEC Nijmegen coach Mario Been has boosted his defensive options with the loan signing of METALLURG DONETSK defender Daniel Fernandez Artola.

RODA JC defender Davy de Fauw has extended his contract with the club until 2012.

VVV VENLO chairman Hai Berden is hoping to complete the signing of Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda as soon possible.

CHUNNAM DRAGONS have strengthened their squad for the upcoming assault on the 2008 AFC Champions League after signing defender Lee Sabic from K-League rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

BARCELONA have agreed a deal with Celta Vigo to sign goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto on loan until the end of the season.

FULHAM today moved a step closer to signing striker Marlon King from Watford after the Hertfordshire club confirmed they had agreed a $12million fee for his transfer.

Brazilian giants FLAMENGO will make a firm offer for AC Milan striker Ronaldo in two weeks, a spokesman for the club has revealed.

NEW YORK RED BULLS signed goalkeeper Zach Thornton on Thursday.

BIRMINGHAM manager Alex McLeish has been given permission by his Aston Villa counterpart Martin O'Neill to speak to central defender Gary Cahill about a possible move to St Andrews.

SCHALKE's general manager Andreas Muller claims the club have signed their "ideal attacking target" after Uruguay striker Vicente Sanchez sealed his move to the Veltins Arena.

BOLTON manager Gary Megson aims to help Matt Taylor push his way back into international contention after completing his protracted move from Portsmouth.

Ugo Ehiogu looks set for a move to SHEFFIELD UNITED after being released from his Rangers contract.

BIRMINGHAM have completed the signing of Hibernian left-back David Murphy after the player passed a medical today.

HULL have completed the loan signing of goalkeeper Mark Tyler from Coca-Cola League Two promotion hopefuls PETERBOROUGH.

YEOVIL have signed NORTHAMPTON striker Andy Kirk on a free transfer.

QPR boss Luigi De Canio has continued his clear-out by releasing Pat Kanyuka and Kieron St Aimie.

SWANSEA are set to sign Manchester United youngster Febian Brandy on loan.

BRIGHTON have completed the signing of IPSWICH defender Matt Richards on loan until the end of the season.

WREXHAM have signed WEST BROM striker Stuart Nicholson on a three-month emergency loan deal.

BRENTFORD have signed WATFORD defender Jordan Parkes on a month-long loan. Bees boss Andy Scott has also signed GILLINGHAM midfielder Craig Stone on a month-long loan deal.

DAGENHAM boss John Still has boosted his squad with the double capture of Shabazz Baidoo and Peter Gain.

WIGAN have announced the signing of Honduras left-back Maynor Figueroa on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.

ASTON VILLA are stepping up their attempts to sign unwanted Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe according to sources close to the midlands club.

Poland international goalkeeper Wojciech Kowalewski has begun a trial spell at READING.

Colombian defender Jamilson Olave has confirmed his transfer to MLS outfit REAL SALT LAKE.

SCHALKE have completed the signing of Uruguayan striker Vicente Sanchez, subject to a medical.