News

Wenger - I'm open to more business

Arsene Wenger has declared himself "very happy" with Arsenal's transfer business this summer - and he is ready to do more.

Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina and Calum Chambers have all bolstered Wenger's squad since the end of last season, while Bacary Sagna and Lukasz Fabianski left at the end of their contracts.

It has already been a busy summer of transfers and Wenger expects another flurry of activity before the window closes on August 31.

"I'm very happy because I did what I wanted, and I am still open to do more," said the Arsenal manager.

"Everyone takes a breather at the moment because everyone checks in their preparation games what they still need. People have done the biggest part of what they want to do and the last part will be done after the preparation games to see what you miss"

"Let's not forget that we are at the first of August today, and the transfer window closes on the 31st. For years… I didn't sit with [the media] here on the first of August having done quite a lot [of business].

"We are a bit ahead of what we usually do, because the availability on the market was bigger and earlier than before," explained Wenger.

"The bigger clubs have done their deals earlier, and when one starts everybody follows, and that's why it was a bit quicker. Many clubs decided to do it before the World Cup, and since the World Cup was over, not a lot has happened. But I think the second half of August, the 15th to 30th, will be busy again.

"Everyone takes a breather at the moment because everyone checks in their preparation games what they still need. People have done the biggest part of what they want to do and the last part will be done after the preparation games to see what you miss."

Thomas Vermaelen has been linked with a move away from Arsenal and Wenger admitted on Friday that his captain could leave.

"At the moment, Thomas Vermaelen is here, he is injured at the moment for a short-term injury," he said. "It could happen, yes it's a possibility that he goes, if he goes we have to replace him because he's an important player in our squad.

"I expect him to stay but he, of course, did not play enough games last year. For me he’s a very important player but I couldn’t guarantee him the games he wanted last year."

The rumour mill has linked Arsenal with any number of players in recent weeks, including Colombia playmaker Juan Quintero. Wenger dismissed that and warned against taking transfer speculation at face value.

"That’s wrong [on Quintero]," he said. "For weeks we were buying [Mario] Balotelli from one minute to the other and it was all wrong. We do not master all the noises that come out.

"I don’t want to give you any names but at the moment we are not after anybody in particular. Are we close? It depends what you call close. What I call close is imminent. On that front, we are not close."

See Full List

Fixtures & Results

Premier League
Ticket Info