We won’t spend our way back to top says Wenger

ARSENAL V CHELSEA

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal will not attempt to spend their way back to the Premier League summit.

The Gunners signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United on Monday as Alexis Sanchez went the other way in a swap deal.

They have also been strongly linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierreemerick Aubameyang, although Wenger remained tight-lipped when asked if a deal for the Gabon international was progressing.

But, speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, Wenger said he will refuse to spendbeyondtheclub’smeans as they look to break back into the top four, having missed out on Champions League qualification last season for the first time during Wenger’s 21-year reign.

Wenger said: “At the end of the day, we are a serious football club who has responsibilities and we want to spend the money we can afford. If you cannot afford, you have to say ‘no, sorry, can’t do that’.

“After that, we have to spend the money in the most intelligent way we can on the transfer market that has become a bit out of control.”

Arsenal’s new signing Mkhitaryan is cup-tied for tonight’s semi against Chelsea. The former Manchester United man appeared in the quarterfinals for his former club and is therefore ineligible to make his Gunners debut.

Alvaro Morata and Cesc Fabregas will miss out for Chelsea.

Respective back and hamstring injuries mean they have been ruled out, but Andreas Christensen has been passed fit having recovered from a head injury.