Lupoli interesting Town

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH want Arsenal hot-shot Arturo Lupoli to boost their goals output.

The 18-year-old Italian has a stunning scoring record and is high on boss Joe Royle's wanted list as he looks to add to his attacking options.

Town hope to bring the youngster to Portman Road on loan and are waiting for the Gunners' response to their request.

Royle admitted: “I won't deny that Lupoli is a player I have asked about, but there are also two or three others.

“Lupoli has been away with the Italian Under-19s and it is a question of whether Arsenal would be willing to let us borrow him.”

Royle had been hopeful of landing a loan signing in time to face Norwich at Portman Road on Sunday, but Highbury chief Arsene Wenger is still deciding whether to sanction Lupoli's move.

The Brescia-born teenager joined the London giants in the summer of 2004 and he was the FA Premier Reserve League's leading marksman last season with 19 goals in just 20 starts.

He netted a total of 27 in 32 games in all competitions, including two in four first team starts.

The highlight of his season came in the Carling Cup fourth round tie against Everton, when he bagged a brace in the young Gunners' 3-1 victory.

He has been in scorching form in the current campaign, claiming a hat-trick in Arsenal's recent 4-2 reserve win at Ipswich, a fixture in which he netted twice in February as his side came from behind to win 2-1.

With senior striker Nicky Forster still sidelined after undergoing a cartilage operation, Royle is concerned about his side's lack of goals.

Although they netted twice against Southampton in midweek, they had netted just once in their previous four games.

Going into Sunday's derby clash, Town have scored eight goals in their nine league and cup games so far.

That is more than a number of their Championship rivals, including Norwich, who have only manages six goals during the same period.

But this time last year Royle's men had 18 goals in the bag from their first nine outings.