Wenger: Edu is still a Gunner

Edu tackles Fernando Redondo in the World Club Championships in Brazil

Arsene Wenger remains confident that Edu will be an Arsenal player despite the passport controversy that has surrounded his £6m move from Corinthians.

The midfielder insists he is entitled to a European passport through his Portuguese grandfather, but was refused entry into the UK because he possessed a fake passport.

The allegations were further heightened when Mario Marinda, counsel for the Portuguese Embassy in Brassilia, dismissed claims that Edu was refused entry because of missing documents.

"EU rules are quite clear - if you have an EU passport, you can travel, live and work within any country in the EU. You don't need any other document.

"Otherwise where does it end? You present a document proving the passport is real, and then you need another document to back up the first one, and so on.

Genuine passport

"It's simple - all you need is a genuine passport," he said, speaking to The Mirror.

The current situation is that we expect Edu to play with us

  Arsene Wenger

However, Wenger insists the 22-year-old, who signed a four year deal with the north London club, will be part of the Gunners squad come the start of the season.

He said: "The current situation is that we expect Edu to play with us.

"We honestly believed he had a passport and so did the player himself. He would never have tried to come in if he had known the passport was false.

"We are still hopeful because he is eligible because he has a Portuguese grandfather but, of course, we will respect the rules.

"For us to get the player he has to get the passport. It is the Brazilians' problem because they have to apply for passports. We are well protected and have no problem with the situation."

Technically

But Corinthians, the World Club champions, have said it would be difficult for the player to return to the club because he is technically an Arsenal player.

If the problems with Edu are still unresolved, Wenger may make a move for compatriot Edmilson, despite his club Sao Paolo maintaining he is not for sale.

Wenger added: "At the moment the deal for Edmilson is dead because we are trying to sort out the Edu problem and then after we will see what we can do."