Wenger says Arsenal will ‘spend big’
ARSENE WENGER has launched a staunch defence of Arsenal’s transfer policy and has vowed to ‘spend big’ if the right chance arises.
Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal’s chief executive, gave an interview last week in which he suggested the club would continue to remain true to their principles of staying away from the frenzy of the window and promoting youth. For those who have become restless with Wenger, it was not a message they wanted to hear, particularly as both Manchester clubs and Chelsea have invested heavily.
Wenger, however, does not welcome the claims he is parsimonious, and Arsenal have paid out one of the biggest fees so far this summer — £30million for Granit Xhaka.
‘I’m my sure my chief executive didn’t want to dampen the expectations,’ said Wenger, who takes his squad to California tomorrow for a weeklong training camp and friendlies against the MLS All-Stars and Mexican side Chivas.
‘We are very active on the transfer front and if we find the right candidates we will spend the big money.’
Arsenal continue to be linked with stellar names, including Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi, Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and Arda Turan of Barcelona.
‘We have already spent big,’ he added. ‘Until now no one has spent bigger than us in the country, even if (Paul) Pogba might fly from Italy to England (to join Manchester United). I don’t want to come out and mention names because if you don’t get them, people ask why. We are very active, every day. It’s July and the market finishes on August 31.
‘Things happen many times in the last week (Arsenal spent £42.5m on Mesut Ozil on the final day of the summer window in 2013). So there is a long time to go. We are working.’