Arsene Wenger has started planning for his team's assault on the Premier League title next season by lodging a bid for a new defender.

Lorient's Laurent Koscielny has been linked with a move to the Emirates for many months, and Wenger has confirmed to the Sun newspaper that there is a bid on the table for the player.

It is thought that the 24-year-old could cost the Gunners around £8 million, but it would be money well spent if he can help shore up Arsenal's defensive problems.

Last season it was their defensive frailty that cost them the Premier League title, and a number of the ageing stars who played in their back four are set to leave the club.

With veterans William Gallas, Sol Campbell, and Mikael Silvestre all out of contract, Wenger is looking to add to his defensive options and he sees Koscielny as the perfect man to partner Thomas Vermaelen in central defence at Arsenal.

"There has been an approach for Koscielny and there still is one," Wenger said.

Koscielny has previously stated that he wanted to join the Gunners and the move made by the club proves recent comments from Wenger that he was certain that something would happen in the transfer market "before the end of the World Cup".

The player is not currently with any of the teams featured in the World Cup betting, but he could have a bright international career ahead of him.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been given a tough opener to their bid to win the Premier League title next season as they have been drawn to kick-off their season with a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool.

This game is followed by games against Blackpool and Blackburn in the opening weeks of the Premier League season.