Arsene Wenger has hinted that Juan Mata is up for sale and has admitted he is a fan of the Spaniard.

After being voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year last season, Mata was left on the bench in Monday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Losing his place to Kevin De Bruyne and finishing the game as an unused substitute stakes Jose Mourinho’s intent over the 25-year-old.

Mournho chose to bring Fernando Torres, John Obi Mikel and Cesar Azpilicueta from the bench at Old Trafford, leaving Mata in a tricky position on whether to leave the club or stay and fight for his place.

As Chelsea look likely to bring in their SEVENTH winger, Christian Atsu from FC Porto, the writing seems to be on the wall for Mata who has made 119 appearances for the Blues, scoring 32 and assisting 59.

Smooth Wenger…

"Well, yes. I like him.

"I have heard like you, because I watched the game last night, that Juan Mata could be on the market. I don't know... there is anyway a reluctance in England to sell to each other."

There is little doubt that Wenger wants Mata, having tried to sign him from Valencia before Chelsea swooped. However the French manager has built up an extensive knowledge of the English game, and specifically the teams around him in his 17 year reign.

He is wise to the fact that Chelsea are unlikely to sell to teams they see as rivals, and Arsenal are certainly that. Tottenham also rival Arsenal for Mata’s signature.

However as news emerges that Juan Mata’s father and agent watched Arsenal’s costly 2-0 victory against Fenerbahce yesterday, it is more than imagination linking the Spaniard to the Emirates.

In a World Cup year, most players need to be playing first team football to get in their national teams. Even more so with Mata, as the Spanish side boasts the best pick of midfielders in the World, with Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Silva, Isco, Navas, Alonso etc all vying for position.

The injuries that Arsenal picked up on Tuesday night look likely to deplete them for the North London Derby on Sunday, with Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Lukas Podolski joining the already elongated list of injuries in the Gunners camp.

When asked whether Mata's father was a guest of Arsenal, Wenger being as smooth as ever, smiled: "No. I don't know. Maybe…"

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