Gunners finally ready to compete financially with big boys
Arsene Wenger has said that Arsenal are ready to spend money in the remaining time of this transfer window, so long as it’s done in the right way.
Wenger came under criticism for not spending after Arsenal’s 4-3 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, where he was forced to play a young centre-back pairing as part of a makeshift defence.
With Per Mertesacker injured and Laurent Koscielny still on a break after Euro 2016, Wenger’s only options were new signing Rob Holding and young Calum Chambers, who both struggled against Liverpool’s pacy attack. Arsenal have been linked with Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi as reinforcement, and a deal is thought to be close.
Wenger’s only major purchase of the summer so far is midfielder Granit Xhaka, who arrived for £34m from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Arsenal’s spending total is miles behind their Premier League rivals, with both Manchester clubs spending in excess of £200million, and Liverpool spending over £75million. An estimated £837.48m has been spent by Premier League teams so far, with just under two weeks remaining until the window closes on August 31.
Wenger believes Premier League teams’ lavish spending could have a detrimental effect over the longer term.
“There are two markets – one for English clubs and one for others,” Wenger said.
“English clubs can suffocate themselves. They have to pay massive wages, even when the players go out (on loan) they have to pay half their wages.
“That means over a longer period, the advantage for English clubs will drop.”
Wenger has come under fire from fans after failing to land some top transfer targets this summer, most notably Leicester’s Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, who both opted to sign new contracts with the Premier League champions instead.
“You have to respect decisions of people,” Wenger added. “That’s part of it. In every transfer market you have one or two with decisions to make and you have to respect them.
“Look at the whole market. Very little happens. It’s about the availability of players. Huge amounts can be spent on average players.
“On Vardy, you should ask him that question. I cannot answer for him.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
