Wiltord: Is that an alarm clock I hear? Freddie: Nah (CliveMason/Allsport)

The France striker, who cost the Gunners a club record fee of £13million, has only scored twice for Arsenal this season after finding it difficult to claim a regular first-team place.

The incident is reminiscent of Ferguson's hard-line approach to David Beckham in February - sending him home from training and dropping him for a crucial Premiership clash with Leeds - when the midfielder missed training, citing health concerns over his son Brooklyn.

Wenger's decision to fine Wiltord is not likely to improve his view of life in the Premiership. Two weeks ago the striker complained that he was unhappy in London but later withdrew his remarks.

The clampdown, which is believed to have come after Wenger warned Wiltord about his timekeeping on several occasions, underlines the manager's anger. Wenger normally allows players to stick to more relaxed rules, arguing that they are all adults who should take a pride in their work.

For the Frenchman to discipline his underperforming striker, who admits that he does not always handle adversity well, indicates that others at the club were noticing Wiltord's inability to maintain the standards.

Wenger insists club rules must be enforced - even by the highest-paid players. He had been willing to make allowances for Wiltord, who has been homesick since his move from Bordeaux in the summer, but felt he had to act when the player's tardiness began to affect the work of the first-team squad.

Arsenal midfielder Paolo Vernazza has joined First Division Watford after rejecting a move to Norwich. The former England Under 18 international has been on the fringes of the Arsenal first team this season without making the breakthrough. Watford have signed him for a fee of £350,000, rising to £650,000 depending on appearances.

Manager Graham Taylor said: 'I believe we have signed a very good player. The fact that he has been good enough to get on to the bench and be in the top 16 of a squad like Arsenal says something in itself.

'Paolo may only be 21 but I have very high hopes of him - I am confident he will develop into an exceptionally good player.' Norwich had agreed a £500,000 fee but Islington-born Vernazza, who made 12 first-team appearances for the Gunners, wanted to stay in the London area.

His departure from Arsenal, however, will provide further fuel to those who see Wenger's reign as giving little chance to home-grown talent at Highbury.

Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Edu is hopeful of solving the passport difficulties which held up his move to Highbury from Corinthians.

He told Brazil's Gazeta Esportiva newspaper:'I am only waiting for a document that has been sent from Portugal and which will legalise my passport.'