In Brief: M'Vila flattered by Gunners link; Rovers' Goodwillie pleads guilty to assault; Serie A player held

M'Vila flattered by Gunners link

The Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila said he would love to join Arsenal. The France player has long been linked with Arsenal, who reportedly watched him during Sunday's draw with Lyons.

The 21-year-old, who Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is said to have been close to signing last summer, said: "Inter, Arsenal, Real... I will take the fun everywhere!" However, he added: "If the coach calls you and tells you he wants you, especially a French coach, it changes everything. The important thing for me is getting playing time for the France team."

M'Vila has three years left on his Rennes contract but the manager, Frederic Antonetti, said the player was likely to leave this summer.

Rovers' Goodwillie pleads guilty to assault

The Blackburn striker David Goodwillie yesterday pleaded guilty to assault, admitting an attack on John Friel in Glasgow's Queen Street in 2010.

The 23-year-old Scotland player, who appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court, will be sentenced on 30 April. Goodwillie moved from Dundee United last summer for about £2m.

Serie A player held

The Atalanta defender Andrea Masiello has been arrested in an Italian probe into match-fixing, and eight former Bari teammates are under investigation.

Bari's last nine matches in Serie A last season are being examined, including a match featuring a Masiello own goal.