Wenger warns City cash won’t ensure success
Since Sheikh Mansour bought the Eastlands club from Thaksin Shinawatra in 2008, around £1 billion (€1.17 billion) has been invested by the Abu Dhabi-based owners.
Yet for all their big spending, Arsenal — who sold both Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to City in July 2009 — would move above City back into second place with victory at the Emirates Stadium tonight.
Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea also all look set to have their say in what is shaping into the most exciting title race of recent seasons.
“What is fantastic in football is there is no given formula,” Wenger said. “I am a big fan of the way we do it, so I try to be successful the way we do it.
“You can also do it the way Inter (Milan) do, or Manchester City do, they buy the best players in the world and it works as well. What I want to show is it works our way as well.
“It does not annoy me (the other way), as long as they respect the rules. At the moment, the rules are like that and they respect them, so you cannot fault them. It is supposed to change, then we will see.”
While UEFA’s financial fair play rules — where clubs must break even over a rolling three-year period if they want to play in the Champions League or Europa League — will gradually be brought in from 2011-2012, Wenger would relish even greater restrictions.
“The real, real true test would be you give £100m to all the 20 clubs in the Premier League and say ‘Let’s go’,” said Wenger, whose side last won a trophy in 2005.
“Then you can say at the end of the year the best club has won. As long as that does not happen, it is a test of who corresponds most to the potential of each club.
“The real, real test would be that everybody has exactly the same resources.”
Arsenal have so far enjoyed a decent return from their Christmas fixtures, beating Chelsea on December 27 before drawing at Wigan and then seeing off Birmingham 3-0 at St Andrew’s on New Year’s Day.
However, Wenger accepts things could have been even better.
“I have a two-point frustration, but I am very happy with the attitude of the players and the team and of the way we improve from game to game,” added Wenger, who made eight changes for the trip to Wigan, where his side conceded a late equaliser against 10 men.
“There are five teams in the fight. Some teams have a bit more belief but that can change quickly. It promises to be a very interesting sprint.
“You always have a team after Christmas who finds a momentum and this team will win the championship.”
Arsenal for once have the majority of their first-team squad available, with full-back Kieran Gibbs likely to be in contention for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Leeds after an ankle problem.
Wenger, meanwhile, insists he will only sign a centre-back in the transfer window if injuries force his hand.
The Gunners boss has ruled out making signings in any other position, and is adamant that he will only bring in a defender if Thomas Vermaelen suffers a setback in his recovery.
The influential Belgian has been sidelined since the end of August after picking up an achilles injury on international duty but is due back at the end of January.
“In the offensive department, (a new signing) is completely excluded,’’ said Wenger.
“In midfield, completely excluded. Don’t forget we have a big squad with Diaby injured, Lansbury and Ramsey is coming back too.
“With the goalkeepers, I stand as firm as ever. At the back, it depends on Vermaelen. I am just waiting to know more about him, and then at the end of January we’ll make a decision.’’
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