Wenger defends Arsenal transfer policy
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger defended his transfer policy on Tuesday, reminding disgruntled fans of the club’s past successes and encouraging them to put their faith in the current squad.
Wenger has come under fire from supporters and the media for failing to recruit a significant signing in the close season and pressure has already started to mount on the Frenchman following Arsenal’s losing start to the Premier League campaign.
A 3-1 home defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday sparked calls from the Arsenal Supporters Trust to put on hold contract talks with the 63-year-old whose deal runs out after this season.
Ahead of a tricky Champions League qualifier against Turkish side Fenerbahce in Istanbul late yesterday, Wenger said now was not the time to press the panic button.
“I would like to reiterate in the last 16 years we have been very successful with transfers,” he said.
“If you look at the players who play tomorrow, they are top quality players, and you should never forget that.”
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told fans at the end of last season the club had the financial muscle to compete for big-name players. Yet this summer they have so far signed only Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Auxerre.
British media previously reported interest in Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain, who ended up at Napoli, as well as Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, before Arsenal failed with a bid to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool.
The Merseyside club rebuffed Wenger’s efforts to prize the Uruguay striker away and accused Arsenal of lacking class when they made a bid of 40 million and one pound (US$62.71 million) which was expected to trigger a release clause.
The north Londoners, who finished fourth last season, received another rebuke from Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew on Monday for lacking respect after making an offer for French midfielder Yohan Cabaye.
“It is not always to think what is outside is better than what you have,” Wenger said. “What is important as well is to rate what you have and our fans have to understand that as well.”
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