‘We were close to one more signing'

Arsène Wenger says he was close to signing another player before the transfer window closed on Thursday night.

The Arsenal manager had been linked with a host of names, and managed to complete a deal for Malaga and Spain left back Nacho Monreal.

The Frenchman is confident in the depth of his squad, but had hoped to make a further addition ahead of the run-in to the season.

 “We were close to one more signature,” Wenger said. “It did not happen because of the desire of the clubs to sell or not sell. It is only linked with that.

“It was not a money problem, it was more a desire from other clubs to keep their players.

“I believe that we have top quality in our squad and that is what we want to show until the end of the season.

“We have some aspects of our game that we need to improve and how active we will be in the market in the summer will be decided by how well we do now until the end of the season.”

Wenger was surprised that, despite predictions of a quiet transfer window, around £120 million was spent by Premier League clubs alone.

“I agree football looks to be an exception to society - for how long?” he said. “I am always tempted to say it cannot last much longer, but I must honestly confess I am always wrong on that front! But it is like that.”