Wenger waiting for right deal

Arsene Wenger cannot promise supporters he will match Arsenal’s title rivals by entering the transfer market during the January window.

Wenger has money to spend, having signed only Alexander Hleb and Alexandre Song last summer while Patrick Vieira and Edu left the club, and he still hopes to strengthen his squad.

But although Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have already made moves in the first week of the window opening, the Arsenal boss is holding fire until the right deal comes along.

Wenger ruled out a move for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, whose transfer request has been accepted by Middlesbrough, as he pledged his support to Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia.

“We have three keepers – Lehmann, Almunia and Mart Poom – and I’m very happy them. So we’re not looking for a keeper. Lehmann has had a great season and Almunia has been superb in every game he’s played as well,” he insisted.

“I can’t promise a new signing because, at the moment, we haven’t signed anyone.

“Manchester United are especially looking to spend some money and Liverpool as well, so the competition becomes harder and harder. But at the moment, I think my team needs trust, support and belief from the inside.”

Although Chelsea have a big lead in the title race, Wenger insists Jose Mourinho’s team are not necessarily any better than second-placed United – just more consistent.

He added: “They are more mature. We have played Chelsea and Manchester United and I don’t think there is a difference between the two teams.

“But Chelsea have the efficiency of a team that is on a winning run. They believe that they’re good. We had that on our unbeaten run – you don’t even wonder whether you’ll win or not.

“You just go out and play, and you win even when you’re average and everyone says you’re amazing. When you look at the tape, you think you’re not as dominating as everyone thinks.

“But no one questions that from Chelsea. So it’s just all hype – positive hype but it reinforces their belief. However, I don’t think that Manchester United and Arsenal are years behind Chelsea – not at all.”