Gunners boss ready to spend big

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal are ready to "spend big" again - but will continue to look to build the core of the team from within.

Last Updated: 15/01/13 at 14:11 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Arsenal Specials. Click here to bet.

Wenger: Hey big spender

Wenger: Hey big spender

Manager Specials

So who will replace David Moyes as manager of Everton after his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Manchester United? Wigan's Robert Martinez heads the betting. Check out the latest odds

The Gunners slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Manchester City on Sunday which saw them lose further ground on the top four of the Premier League.

Wenger insists Arsenal are in the market to bolster their squad during the January transfer window, but will only do so if they can find the right quality of player.

The Gunners have been linked with a string of players across Europe, with Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame the latest rumoured to be on Wenger's radar, while a new contract for Theo Walcott is expected to be pushed through shortly.

With the club set to see new commercial deals kick in following their £390million move to Emirates Stadium and with plenty of cash in reserve, resources which were further boosted by last summer's sale of captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United, Wenger insists Arsenal will be able to invest heavily in the playing staff.

"My plan is to keep all of the players we have and then to add maybe, if possible, two new players to the squad. We will spend big (again) because we had restricted finances because we had built the stadium and had to pay that back," Wenger said in an interview with Al Jazeera Sport recorded before the City defeat and broadcast on Talksport this morning.

"You look at any club who has done that, and they have gone down (in performance). We stayed at the top level, yes without winning the Premier League, but we were always at the top level.

"Now we have come out in a much stronger position financial again, so we can spend.

"But our way is a bit like Barcelona as well, to produce the core of the team from inside and add from outside the players who give really a plus."

Wenger accepts Arsenal will always be an easy target for those who claim the board put the balance sheet ahead of success on the pitch.

"The biggest challenge so far is to convince people we have a good team, that we have good quality and that we lead the club in the right way, because many people doubt that," Wenger continued.

"I am convinced this team has a fantastic mentality, fantastic quality and with the right level of confidence, if we can create the momentum, we can be a positive surprise until the end of the season."

Wenger may have transformed the fortunes of the Gunners since taking over at Highbury in September 1996, but the Frenchman accepts his time will soon "be up" as the club must one day look for new leadership.

"It is (time up), because I am 63 years old and will not work at 100. That, though, is not the most important, what is important is that when you are somewhere, you give your best," said Wenger, whose side host Swansea in their FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday night. "How long will I stay? I have a contract until 2014, and I always respected my contracts.

"It is important is that the club goes the right direction - we have a very young team who have fantastic qualities and [it is important] that I help them to get their qualities transformed into positive results.

"Let's not forget that last year we finished third [in the Premier League], as long as that is seen as a disaster, it is not too bad for the future of the club."

Bet with SkyBet  Arsenal Specials. Click here to bet.

TEAMtalk Facebook Fan Page

The TEAMtalk fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Blackburn appoint Gary Bowyer as manager on 12-month rolling contract

Blackburn have confirmed the appointment of Gary Bowyer as the club's new manager on a 12-month rolling contract.

Inter Milan appoint Walter Mazzarri as coach after sacking Andrea Stramaccioni

Inter Milan have named Walter Mazzarri as the club's new coach on a two-year contract after sacking Andrea Stramaccioni.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis clarifies Rafa Benitez comments

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has clarified earlier comments regarding a deal being agreed with Rafa Benitez.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved