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| Arsene Wenger claimed the player Arsenal fans had been dreaming of was not out there |
ARSENE WENGER has told Arsenal fans to get their head out of the clouds dreaming about "strikers from heaven" and instead back his players to get the goals needed to kick-start their season.
Speaking for the first time publicly since the transfer window closed with the Gunners remaining the only team in the Premier League not to sign a single outfield player, Wenger laid down a dose a reality to the club's supporters by insisting that the answer to their prayers simply was not out there - then hit back at critics who suggested he lied about the injury to Danny Welbeck.
"I think to support the club and support them team is to stand behind the players," he said. "It is not always expecting someone coming down from heaven to sort out all your problems. Support is believing in the players in the squad and this is a good opportunity to do that for our supporters.
"You look at what happened on the transfer market at the end of the day and you will see. I can understand everyone's hope but, if you look at what happened, it shows you that there is a shortage of solutions out there."
Karim Benzema and Edinson Cavani were linked with a move to the Emirates throughout the summer but Wenger kept his wallet in his pocket, even though he learned just before the window closed that a setback to Welbeck would rob him of the England striker's services until the New Year.
Wenger was even accused of lying about Welbeck's situation by critics, including former player Paul Merson, in order to keep the fans off his back for his lack of action in the market.
"First of all I am surprised that people accused me of lying when I was in the press conference on Friday morning, I did not know Welbeck had a bad setback," said Wenger. "I did not lie to you, I gave you the information I had. I heard late on Friday night that his condition had not evolved as well as we thought it was and he had needed a specialist and needed further investigation.
"But it doesn't change anything. You either find someone who strengthens your squad or not. Whether we have players injured or not doesn't change the problem."
There has been more bad news for Arsenal on the injury front as Jack Wilshere's encouraging recovery from a hairline crack in his fibula hit a brick wall during the international break and he will not be able to face Stoke on Saturday as anticipated.
"I have not seen him in the last two or three days," said Wenger. "He is progressing slowly and I can't tell you much more about it. I will talk with my medical staff today.
"It is slower than expected as I expected him to be back and available after the break but unfortunately he will not be available for Saturday.
"He had a little setback and I have to know about it but I can't tell you much more as I have no medical information."
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