Arsenal recruited Lille's 24-year-old Ivory Coast forward Gervinho yesterday as it bids to boost its firepower this season and end a trophy drought stretching back to 2005.

"He is an official Arsenal player. Gervinho has joined training today at London Colney (in England)," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told a news conference during the club's pre-season trip to Malaysia. The arrival of Gervinho, who scored 28 goals in 67 games for Ligue 1 champions Lille over the last two seasons, comes amid speculation that top midfielders Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas could leave despite Wenger saying he will fight to keep them.