Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for Newcastle striker Demba Ba.

Ba has been on top form for the Magpies this season, scoring 11 goals to add to the 16 he bagged last term.

Toon boss Alan Pardew admitted on Thursday that Ba would be sold if he did not remove the £7.5 million release clause in his contract.

Arsenal are one of a number of clubs who have been linked with the 27-year-old, but even though Wenger admits he is a good striker, the Frenchman yesterday insisted he has no plans to sign the player.

“I like Demba Ba, yes,” the Arsenal manager said ahead of his team’s match against Newcastle today.

“I don’t think this is the right place to speak about that, because he plays against us tomorrow (today).

“I wouldn’t like to put Newcastle or us or him in an uncomfortable position. If you ask me ‘do we sign Demba Ba?’ I say no.”

Meanwhile, Wenger dampened speculation that the club’s leading goal scorer Thierry Henry, who has been training with the team, was set for a remarkable second loan spell with the Gunners.

“Our relationship is very close but, at the moment, I think he has had a second spell at the club that was very successful. You have to be cautious that it’s not one time too many,” he told reporters.

“I have not completely ruled it out but I haven’t spoken about it with him at all.”

The 35-year-old French striker currently plays in the United States for the New York Red Bulls.

Wenger said injury-prone French midfielder Abou Diaby and full-back Andre Santos are expected to resume training next week.

Diaby has been out for the past two months with a thigh injury while Santos has been sidelined since mid-November suffering from a thigh strain.