Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll is bidding to get Arsenal striker Graham Barrett on loan.

Bournemouth cannot afford to make an offer for the 19-year-old Dubliner but they are willing to give him first-team experience, which could stand him in good stead for the future.

Barrett is in a no-win situation at Highbury at the moment. The club thinks a lot of him but with Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord, Dennis Bergkamp and Kanu all in front of him in the pecking order it is hard to see him getting a start this season.

Arsenal were approached by O'Driscoll last week, but with the Champions' League occupying their attentions there is just a chance he would be needed at Highbury - which has left manager Arsene Wenger unsure about the deal.