Abdisalam Ibrahim
Abdisalam Ibrahim in action on his Premier League debut against Liverpool. [Reuters]

Manchester City midfielder Abdisalam Ibrahim has admitted that he is flattered to be linked with a move to Arsenal and revealed that it would be a 'dream come true' to work under Arsene Wenger.

The 22 year old is currently on loan at Norwegian side Stromsgodset until the end of their season and has been earning rave reviews for his performances in the heart of their midfield.

Ibrahim joined the Manchester City academy back in 2007 and has slowly progressed through the youth ranks and made his senior debut against Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup back in January 2010. He then went on to make his first Premier League appearance as a substitute against Liverpool later that year.

There were early comparisons to Patrick Vieira because of his combative style and his 6ft 2" frame but there have been suggestions that City would be prepared to allow him to leave the club.

Sky Sports reports that Arsenal, Liverpool and Fulham were all keen on recruiting the Norwegian who is entering the final year of his contract at Manchester City.

Ibrahim is believed to be in talks with officials at City and is focused on playing in the Under 21 European Championships this summer, but admits he is pleased to be linked with a move to Arsenal.

"I'm very flattered to be linked with Arsenal, I grew up as an Arsenal fan and my hero was Patrick Vieira when he was playing there," Ibrahim told Sky Sports.

"I would be very honoured to play for Arsenal and it would be all my dreams come true to work with Arsene Wenger.

"He has developed so many young players over the years and gave them chances in the first team but at the moment my focus now is doing very well in the Under 21 European Championship next month in Israel with my national team and hopefully try and win the tournament.

"We will see what happens in the next couple of months about my future as I'm contracted to Manchester City for another year.

"I'm open to extending my new deal, but I'd like to meet the new manager if it's [Manuel] Pelligrini and see what he has to say.

"I'm 22 years old now and I want to be playing week in, week out in the Premier League."