They were also forced to sell key players in January, losing striker Jermain Defoe and midfielder Lassana Diarra.

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Redknapp has already bolstered his defence with the signing of William Gallas and the club are reportedly in talks with Real Madrid's holding midfielder Lassana Diarra.

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Rather than enhancing his squad in January, Wenger actually reduced the numbers by agreeing to let highly rated midfielder Lassana Diarra, signed from Chelsea the previous summer, leave for Portsmouth.

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Midfielder Niko Kranjcar followed Lassana Diarra, Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch out of Fratton Park after agreeing a switch to Tottenham on 1 September.

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