Arsenal boss Wenger hints at transfer "surprise" for frustrated fans on deadline day
Gunners have still only signed two free transfers this
summer but manager suggests now-confirmed Bale move will have domino
effect
Rex
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hinted he could spring a "surprise" in the final 24 hours of the transfer window after watching his team beat big-spending Tottenham in the north London derby.
Spurs may have been without Real Madrid-bound Gareth Bale, but their £100million-plus summer spree saw plenty of talent in Andre Villas-Boas' match-day squad, with £26m man Erik Lamela starting on the bench following his transfer from Roma that was finalised on Friday.
However, it was the Gunners - having so far brought in only two free transfers - who earned the bragging rights after Giroud tucked home his fourth goal in five appearances after 23 minutes which proved enough to settle an entertaining, but also heated, contest.
Wenger had seen bids for Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Yohan Cabaye all fail to come off earlier this summer.
But with Bale's mega-money move to Real having finally being confirmed at 7pm on Sunday evening, Arsenal could now up their interest in the Spanish giants' Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Angel di Maria before the window closes at 11pm on September 2.
"I am not against spending money, but I want to add super quality to our squad - or not," said Wenger.
"Tottenham got a lot of money for Bale, they have to invest it - I understand that. The need is different for us, we need one or two super players and we will try to add that.
"We have 24 more hours, so maybe we can surprise you. Maybe not, but I am confident."
Wenger feels now Bale's 100 million euros (£86.3million) switch has been completed, other projected transfers could now into place.
He added: "It is a little bit like a domino game. Maybe something will happen in the last 24 hours, maybe not. It is very difficult to predict."
Arsenal may be sitting on a £70m warchest, but Wenger insists the club will not be held to ransom as the last-gasp shopping dash begins.
"I am not against spending. I am ready to pay what we can afford, even if it is a bit over the market (value) and as long as it is not crazy," he said.
Arsenal have responded well since they lost the opening Barclays Premier League game at home to Aston Villa, winning at Fulham and also securing a place in the group stages of the Champions League by beating Fenerbahce both home and away.
"Overall it was a convincing win in a very intense game," Wenger said.
"There were aspects in our game that people are not used to seeing from us, that means commitment, desire, defending.
"I am one of the few who never doubted that (team spirit). This team has lost one game since March in all competitions. You don't do that with an average spirit."
Spurs may have been without Real Madrid-bound Gareth Bale, but their £100million-plus summer spree saw plenty of talent in Andre Villas-Boas' match-day squad, with £26m man Erik Lamela starting on the bench following his transfer from Roma that was finalised on Friday.
However, it was the Gunners - having so far brought in only two free transfers - who earned the bragging rights after Giroud tucked home his fourth goal in five appearances after 23 minutes which proved enough to settle an entertaining, but also heated, contest.
Wenger had seen bids for Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Yohan Cabaye all fail to come off earlier this summer.
But with Bale's mega-money move to Real having finally being confirmed at 7pm on Sunday evening, Arsenal could now up their interest in the Spanish giants' Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Angel di Maria before the window closes at 11pm on September 2.
"I am not against spending money, but I want to add super quality to our squad - or not," said Wenger.
"Tottenham got a lot of money for Bale, they have to invest it - I understand that. The need is different for us, we need one or two super players and we will try to add that.
"We have 24 more hours, so maybe we can surprise you. Maybe not, but I am confident."
Wenger feels now Bale's 100 million euros (£86.3million) switch has been completed, other projected transfers could now into place.
He added: "It is a little bit like a domino game. Maybe something will happen in the last 24 hours, maybe not. It is very difficult to predict."
Arsenal may be sitting on a £70m warchest, but Wenger insists the club will not be held to ransom as the last-gasp shopping dash begins.
"I am not against spending. I am ready to pay what we can afford, even if it is a bit over the market (value) and as long as it is not crazy," he said.
Arsenal have responded well since they lost the opening Barclays Premier League game at home to Aston Villa, winning at Fulham and also securing a place in the group stages of the Champions League by beating Fenerbahce both home and away.
"Overall it was a convincing win in a very intense game," Wenger said.
"There were aspects in our game that people are not used to seeing from us, that means commitment, desire, defending.
"I am one of the few who never doubted that (team spirit). This team has lost one game since March in all competitions. You don't do that with an average spirit."
No comments:
Post a Comment