Arsenal: Wenger says Arsenal are ‘ready to spend the money’

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal is “ready to spend the money,” but only “the right way,” as Arsenal prepares to face off against the champions Leicester City this weekend.

In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, the Arsenal boss covered a large number of topics, from player availability to the fans reaction to their opening weekend game against Liverpool.

At the top of the list was the perceived lack of transfer market activity or interest from the Gunners. In response, Wenger had this to say:

“It’s better I don’t’ speak about any individual player. You’re convinced I don’t want to spend the money. We are ready to spend the money, but not the money we haven’t got. It’s not my money.

Buying calms the fans, of course. It’s important to spend money, but it’s even more important to spend it the right way.”

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When asked about if Arsenal being booed off after their 4-3 defeat to Liverpool has increased the urgency for Arsenal to sign a defender, Wenger noted, “It was important before the game already. You do not sign players because you think it is important or not. That is why everyone is in the market for the same players and very few players as well.”

There were no updates in regards to the transfer of Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi, a bit worrying the longer the saga drags on for. While Sky Sports says there’s a deal in place, no fee has been agreed upon.

The transfer window closes in a mere two weeks and the Gunners have already slipped into their annual mid-winter threadbare look, with injuries abound.

To some reassurance for Arsenal fans, Laurent Koscielny looks close to featuring for the side this week, making a triumphant return from France’s deep run in this summer’s European Championships. However, Wenger noted that it may be a bit of a “gamble” in doing so, possibly featuring the defensive stalwart before he is in full match fitness.

However, according to the club’s website, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi could be out for some time, with both picking up significant injuries from week one:

“Both of them have minor muscular problems. I think they will be out until after the international break but we feared worse – for Iwobi especially.”

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For those wishing for a striker to come in this window, possibly in the form of Lacazette, Wenger appeared bullish on the matter, stating:

“We do not talk about individual players. I told you already what the are the criteria for the price of a player but you could add one more: the identity of the buyer. When the buyer is English, it is true that it multiplies the transfer by two or three or sometimes by 10 because if for the same player an English club does not come in, he is worth five million. But if an English club comes he is worth 35 or 40 or 50.”

Arsenal faces off against a Leicester City side that tripped over its shoelaces coming out of the gate for the season against a surprisingly cohesive looking Hull City. The King Power Stadium is sure to be packed for the return of the champions to defend their title and to try get a win over Arsenal, something they haven’t done in the Premier League since 1994.