Kuffour for Arsenal ?

Sammy Kuffour has expressed a desire to play for English Premiership giants Arsenal.

The Ghana international, who has two years left on his contract at Bayern Munich, told BBC Sport a move to Highbury would fulfil a career ambition.

The 27 year old central defender wants to quit Germany at the end of his contract.

''Bayern has been good to me all these years, that is why I have resisted the temptation to move.

"The only club I would love to play for after Bayern is Arsenal,'' he said in Munich.

Kuffour began the year on a tragic note, as baby daughter Godiva drowned in the swimming pool of his Accra home.

It was a devastating blow to him and wife Francesca.

He admits his Christian faith kept him going and gave him the resolve to play better football this season.

Qualification for the 2006 World Cup with Ghana is a burning ambition.

''I would love to take Ghana to the World Cup finals here in Munich and even play the host nation.

''If the Ghana FA plan ahead and give us all we need to prepare, we can make it,'' he said.

The Black Stars, four time African champions, have never made it to football's showpiece event.

Kuffour was embroiled in controversy at the last Nations Cup finals in Mali, as he was expelled from the camp by coach Fred Osam-Duodu on disciplinary grounds.

He insists he has put the past behind him.

''I was framed but I have forgiven all [the people responsible for his expulsion]''

But he warned that Ghana cannot afford to repeat its past mistakes.

''I have a lot of confidence in [new coach] Burkhard Ziese. He knows football.''

After nearly a year's absence from the Black Stars, Kuffour will return to action in a Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda in June.

''My family needs me close by but I will soon be back for Ghana.''

Recovering from a thigh injury, he hopes to return to Bayern's first team within a week.