Wenger: I won't waste cash

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed that the club will spend their new £150million sponsorship cash "in the right way".

Last Updated: 27/11/12 at 15:46 Post Comment   

Arsene Wenger: Vowed to spend money 'in the right way'

Arsene Wenger: Vowed to spend money 'in the right way'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed that the club will spend their new £150million sponsorship cash from Emirates "in the right way".

The Gunners head to Everton on Wednesday looking to close up on the top four of the Premier League.

Despite not having won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup, the Arsenal brand remains strong and long-term partners Emirates Airlines last week agreed a lucrative sponsorship extension which will earn the club around £30million a year.

Some of that revenue has been frontloaded to come in the current financial year and so increase Wenger's summer transfer budget, which has already been boosted by the £24million sale of former captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United.

However, Wenger insists Arsenal are not about to break the bank for a marquee signing.

"If we get that amount of money from sponsors it is not charity, it is because the sponsors feel that we act in the right way and with the right values. They reward that," Wenger said.

"Afterwards it is down to us to spend the money in the right way.

"There are two aspects to any deal; one is the transfer [fee] and the other is the wages.

"The transfers for these kinds of players are not at £30million today, they are at £50million or £60million and what has gone through the roof is the wages of these players.

"That is why people plead for financial fair play. Some clubs even pleaded that the new television money (for Premier League clubs) should not be used to increase wages because it gives huge problems to everybody."

Wenger is likely to move for a forward when the January transfer window opens, with a short-term loan move for Thierry Henry remaining a possibility and Crystal Palace's promising youngster Wilfried Zaha described as "not more on the list than anybody else".

As always, Wenger stressed any new addition must bring added value to the group.

"If we find the real top, top, top player then we will be on the market," he added. "We have no fixed number, we look just at quality.

"We have a good squad, I believe that these players have a fantastic attitude. They deserve success and they will have success."

Some sections of the Arsenal support would appear not to share that faith as Wenger came in for criticism during the goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Chants of "You don't know what you're doing" greeted the 86th-minute substitution of striker Olivier Giroud for defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin, but Wenger's focus remains unmoved.

"My job is to give full commitment to this club, with integrity. That's what I always do without expecting any return," he said.

"I don't want to comment on that (the chants). I just make sure that I do my job properly, that's what I do."

After a positive start Everton have struggled for wins in recent weeks, with Norwich's last-gasp equaliser on Saturday making it five draws in seven games.

Arsenal are a point behind the fifth-placed Toffees and Wenger urged against any complacency.

"They are always serious, Everton, because they can give anybody a game," said Wenger, who should have forward Theo Walcott back from a shoulder problem on Wednesday night.

"I don't think any big team in the league goes to Everton and thinks it will be a walk out there.

"For us it's a vital game every year. They fight at the top of the league every year. They are one of the contenders for a Champions League spot as well.

"Everton have gone through a more difficult spell recently, but it will just be down to us and the quality of our performance."


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