Wenger gunning for some new faces
The Gunners boss openly admits he would like to add another midfielder to his squad, which lost the likes of Alexander Hleb, Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto this summer.
Although Samir Nasri — who has scored twice in three appearances — arrived from Marseille for £12million (€14.8m), there have been calls for Wenger to add more established stars to his depth of youthful talent.
Arsenal director Danny Fiszman maintains Wenger has money to spend — and that the board would back their manager if he wanted to splash £30m (€37m) on one player.
The likes of Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, England international Gareth Barry and Swiss playmaker Gokhan Inler have all been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, while Wenger yesterday insisted there was “no interest” in Feyenoord’s Jonathan de Guzman.
Wenger, who landed Lassana Diarra on deadline day 12 months ago, said: “Last year it was at midnight — and we are ready to stay up all night this time if it is needed. We have still a long time to go.’’
Wenger added: “We are out to look, if we find the right players we will do it, one or two.
“However, I believe it’s more interesting for us to focus on our strengths and quality rather than looking outside. I know it makes headlines, but it doesn’t make you win games.”
Wenger, whose side face Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium for this afternoon’s early evening kick-off, again rejected the suggestions he needed to bring in a big name with a hefty fee, as title rivals Chelsea have done more than once this summer.
“I buy the players I feel strengthen the squad, after that I consider the price,” he said.
“I know the media and supporters sometimes too are happy with big numbers, but for me what is most important is big quality. Sometimes both are linked, but not always.”
Meanwhile, Wenger has welcomed UEFA’s investigation into the finances of football — and called for those clubs who run at a deficit to be “kicked out of Europe”.
New UEFA president Michel Platini, the former France international, is concerned at the high level of debt carried by some clubs — maintaining they are “cheating” by purchasing players they cannot afford.
Many of the leading English teams operate with a significant amount of debt — including champions Manchester United and also Chelsea, although the Blues are in a unique position of being bankrolled by Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and do not carry any external debt.
Wenger said of UEFA’s investigation: “It is very welcome. I think teams who have a deficit should be kicked out of Europe.
“It is very important for the fans of the competition first, and it is very important that every club lives with the resources they have available –—clubs should not speculate and then after one year they cannot pay the salaries for the next seasons.’’
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