Wenger standing firm on transfer policy

Arsene Wenger has insisted he would still not be forced into the transfer market despite Arsenal falling seven points behind leaders Chelsea amid an injury crisis.

The Arsenal boss admitted his depleted side were too inexperienced in last night’s costly 1-1 home draw against Manchester City.

The result left the Gunners trailing even further in Chelsea’s wake, with Wenger conceding they now face their biggest title hurdle yet to make up the deficit.

However, he vowed not to give in, stressing that conceding defeat with 16 games still left to play would be “criminal“.

The Arsenal boss was also not about to be rushed into the January sales, even though his squad’s strength in depth is currently being stretched to breaking point.

“We did not have the right balance between experienced and inexperienced players, especially at the back,” admitted Wenger.

“But I’m not a big fan of going out to buy a new player every time you have a disappointment. If you don’t have a good season, you would finish with 25 players!”

Against City, Arsenal were without Sol Campbell, Lauren, Dennis Bergkamp, Gilberto Silva, Edu and Jose Antonio Reyes.

To make matters worse, Ashley Cole limped away from Highbury in some pain and the only consolation is that they are at home to Stoke in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

However, Arsenal were still forced to field two rookie defenders in Justin Hoyte and Philippe Senderos, as well as 17-year-old midfielder Cesc Fabregas and 21-year-old striker Robin van Persie.

Clearly tired after their busy festive programme, they had duly come within 15 minutes of suffering their first home league defeat to City in almost 30 years.

It took a late equaliser from Freddie Ljungberg as he headed home Thierry Henry’s overhead kick to secure a point after Shaun Wright-Phillips’ magnificent 30-yard first-half drive put City ahead.

It was a telling night in the title race, although van Persie struck the underside of the bar in the closing stages as Arsenal at least demonstrated their refusal to give up without a fight.

Wenger vowed: “I would be happier than ever to do it now. We must try to keep as close as we can and take advantage if Chelsea have a bad period.

“We have just got 10 points out of 12 over the Christmas period, but Chelsea got 12.”

Asked if he was now more concerned than ever about his side’s title prospects, Wenger admitted: “Yes, because we have never been as far away from it.

“But I still feel that we want to give our best to the end of the season. At the moment, Chelsea don’t look like dropping seven points, but you never know.

“The only chance we have is to believe we can come back and give everything in every game. It’s not easy but if you want an easy job then you should stay at home. This job is for strong men.

“I feel that giving up and saying they had won the title now would not be professional, it would be absolutely disastrous.”

While Arsenal laboured for much of last night’s game, City gamely attacked from the start, with Robbie Fowler’s header saved by Manuel Almunia in the first minute.

Wright-Phillips thundered the visitors into the lead on 31 minutes after Patrick Vieria had been caught in possession by Joey Barton.

And with Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin superb in central defence, they held on until Henry’s moment of magic, coupled with Jon Macken playing Ljungberg onside, enabled Arsenal to equalise.

City boss Kevin Keegan was nevertheless impressed with his team’s display, insisting they had fully deserved their point.

He hailed Wright-Phillips, who was watched by his stepdad, Arsenal legend Ian Wright, for not only his spectacular strike, but also his impressive all-round display.

“Shaun is a very special player. I haven’t seen a player like this in all my time in the game,” he added.

“He’s got terrific balance and courage, he’s small but can win it in the air. He can turn almost within himself.

“I said to his dad two years ago that Shaun is very special and will go right to the top.”