Press conference

Wenger on January transfer rumours

Arsène Wenger was in high spirits after overseeing yet another semi-final success on Wednesday night, but much of his post-match press conference was dominated by transfer rumours.

We have been linked with several names since completing the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan on Monday and with just one week to go until the transfer window closes, the boss was asked for his latest update.

on the rumours surrounding Aubameyang…

The best is I don’t talk about that because it wouldn’t help. I think if something happens it happens, if it doesn’t happen then we are strong enough to focus on the players we have and focus on the job with the players we have. I am perfectly happy with the players I have. We got Mkhitaryan in and I have a strong squad.

on the rumours surrounding Jonny Evans…

Look, if we sign somebody we will tell you very quickly, but at the moment we are open to strengthen the team and the squad, but we are not close to signing anybody.

on why there hasn’t been much Chinese interest in the transfer market this season…

Because they have slowed down in China and people haven’t noticed. Many people still think 'okay we will pay these prices because if we don’t, China will buy the players for a maximum price'. That is gone. We have to be looking well at what has happened in the past 10 months in China, and accept that they have slowed down. They are much more cautious about spending big money for European players.