Arsène Wenger has told Lukas Podolski and Thomas Vermaelen that he is not willing to sanction transfers for them, as he placed the emphasis on maintaining Arsenal’s squad stability in the summer and adding quality rather than quantity.
The manager is preoccupied with finishing the season with a flourish and his team could ensure a top-four place and a 17th consecutive Champions League qualification with a home win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday . They might not need that if Everton were to lose or draw at home to Manchester City on Saturday.
There is also excitement at Arsenal about the FA Cup final against Hull City on 17 May, when the club could win their first trophy since 2005.
Wenger has admitted that the preparations for the transfer window have begun but he fears that the World Cup will represent an obstacle to early business.
Wenger said he had “people around me who start to look” for new signings and he predicted a “busy” summer. “But the main thing for us will be to keep the stability because we feel we are close,” Wenger added. “We want to add something that makes us even stronger but number-wise, it will not be massive. Two or three? Yes.
“From my experience, the World Cup years have always been very quiet until the end of the World Cup, with no players reachable.
“I believe this year again you will have to wait until 15 July to start going.”
Written by Steve Milne
