Arsene Wenger to appease Arsenal fans with striker signing as Benzema still on radar

Arsene Wenger says he expects to make a signing before the transfer window closes

ARSENE WENGER has hit back at fans frustrated at the club’s failure to sign a world-class striker by pointing out that No. 9s are hardly 10-a-penny these days.

 

With Manchester United and Tottenham also in the hunt for a player capable of leading the forward line, it is clear that there are not enough top-quality front-men to go around the big clubs.

Arsenal have been linked with Karim Benzema all summer but have been stymied by Real Madrid’s reluctance to sell and Wenger claims that is typical of the problems faced by managers looking to strengthen in that position in particular.

 

“I expect a signing, like everyone, but at the moment we are not close,” he said.

“I listen to everybody by my job is to make decisions – even if I look everywhere and ask everybody. If I listened to everybody, we would never have signed Patrick Vieira, Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry.

“It is difficult because there is more money in football and more clubs with big resources.

 

“But ultimately there is a shortage of no. 9s in the world. It confirms what I just said, that there is a difference between financial power nowadays and the availability of top-class players.

“It is simple. When you want to buy somebody you go to see the owner and if he doesn’t want to sell, you cannot buy.

“I’m not against buying when it is a positive for your team.  But if it’s a case of buying a player to make people happy, I am not ready for that.”

 

As a result, £10m goalkeeper Petr Cech remains his only signing and Wenger admits the free-spending of rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool has left Arsenal on the back foot – but not insurmountably.

“Yes, it makes Arsenal weaker but I was asked this question two years ago when some clubs bought 10 players. What you want is to focus on your own strengths and make sure you develop your team.

“The cohesion, the style of play, are important qualities. Everybody knows that.”