ARSENE Wenger has ruled out making a January bid for Demba Ba, but admitted his admiration for the Newcastle United striker.

With the Gunners hoping to make attacking reinforcements when the transfer window opens next month, Wenger had been strongly linked with a move for Ba.

The Senegal international has a buy-out clause in his contract which means Newcastle cannot prevent him speaking to anyone tabling a £7.5m offer in January.

Alan Pardew admits the Magpies are in a vulnerable position, although he will have been relieved to hear Wenger's comments on the eve of today's game between Newcastle and Arsenal at the Emirates.

The Arsenal boss has not attempted to hide his respect for Ba's scoring record, but insists he will not be signing the 27-year-old in the forthcoming transfer window.

“I like Demba Ba, yes,” said Wenger. “I don't think (this) is the right place to speak about that, because he plays against us.

“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.”

Arsenal's need for a new striker will increase when Gervinho leaves to join the Ivory Coast squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Wenger has refused to rule out signing Thierry Henry for a third spell.

The 35-year-old, who scored twice in seven games during a loan spell at the Emirates last season, has been training with Arsenal's first-team squad for the last month.