‘We work day and night on signings’

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are working hard to bring in new players before the close of the transfer window - but admits they are not close to completing a deal.

The Gunners have already strengthened their squad this summer by signing Petr Cech from Chelsea, and Wenger is open to the idea of buying another player should the opportunity arise.

“I am always confident that a last-minute situation or solution is available, because the transfer market is especially moving in the last four or five days,” he said. “But at the moment I cannot promise you that.

“We have specific targets but sometimes you get an idea from somebody because you didn’t know that the player you like was available and if you get an opportunity you do it.

“We work very hard, you know I have a team around me who work day and night to find good solutions. I am 24 hours available per day, so I am involved in the decision of course, but at the moment we are not close to signing anyone.”

This season’s transfer window closes at the earlier time of 6pm, a day after other European leagues, and Wenger believes this will have an impact.

“Before you had until midnight,” he said. “Maybe it was not very comfortable for the Premier League but it was a bit easier but people adapt to the timing.

“The implications [of the European window shutting a day early] is that on the last day we will be the only ones on the market and not face any competition with the others.”