Wenger Too BUSY To Sign More Gunners?
Posted on 11. Aug, 2008 by Milox in Premiership
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has shocked fans by announcing that the club will not be signing any new players for the time being because he is ‘too busy’ with other matters.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Sevilla in the Amsterdam tournament on Saturday, the Frenchman insisted that upcoming European fixtures have taken priority and they are unlikely to make any big-name announcements until they know their continental fate.
“At the moment, I am not close to concluding any transfer deal, because I am too busy here,” Wenger told the club’s official website.
“Maybe next week something can happen, but for now we have to focus on the Champions League and forget about transfers because it is a big target for us.”
Arsenal travel to Holland to take on Steve McClaren’s FC Twente for the first leg of the final qualifying round of Europe’s premier club competition.
However the return leg at the Emirates is not until Wednesday, August 27 and therefore the Arsenal boss could leave himself with just four days in which to conduct his business before the end-of-month deadline.
A central midfielder is priority for the North London club after the summer departures of Matthieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva. Cesc Fabregas has also had little break since the end of last season after representing Spain in Euro 2008.
The thigh injury to Abou Diaby, which is expected to keep him out of action for at least a month, creates further selection headaches and Brazilian Denilson is the only recognised first team player available to partner Fabregas for the opening fixtures.
Wenger has been linked with moves for Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry and most notably Swiss international Goklan Inler. The Udinese player was reportedly the target of an £8million bid and the Arsenal boss refused to be drawn on the issue when questioned by media in Amsterdam at the weekend.
“I do not rule out anybody completely at the moment,” he said. “If we were in advanced negotiations with anybody else I would say no, so everything is possible right now.”
Aaron Ramsey has completed a £5million move from Cardiff but is only 17 and inexperienced at the highest level. Jack Wilshere, the 16-year-old schoolboy who has impressed all in pre-season, has earned the number 19 shirt but it is thought that Wenger wants to utilise him on the flanks rather than in the middle of the park.
[Guardian-Series]
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