Wenger Refuses To Panic Buy
Arsenal may now have sold two major players, following the completion of Kolo Toure’s move to Manchester City, but manager Arsene Wenger is showing no signs of concern and says if he does spend it will be “in the right way”.
The club have funds available following the departures of Toure for around £16million and striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who also signed for Manchester City, for £25million.
However the Frenchman insists Arsenal are still good enough to compete, even if they don’t spend any money. Speaking after a 1-0 friendly win against German club Hannover, Wenger said: “I feel we are strong enough but if we can add then we will do it,”
“In England people think that all the problems can be sorted out by buying players.
“I believe the biggest target is to work hard in training, improve what we can improve and have confidence in the players that we have.
“If we need to add then we will. We have money available so for us it is now [important] to spend it in the right way when we do it or if we do it.”
Wenger’s attitude is in stark contrast to that of many of his rival managers, who have spent millions in recent years, with varying degrees of success. The Arsenal boss clearly feels that the foundations are in place at the club and a fine youth team will ensure his side continue to challenge for major honours for years to come.
Despite this confidence, it seems unlikely that Arsenal will start the season without at least one more new face and according to The Sun, that new face may be an all too familiar one. Former captain Patrick Vieira has been widely linked with a move back to the Premier League this summer and The Sun reports that Arsene Wenger could be the man to finally sign him, following supposed interest from Fulham, Birmingham and fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Vieira is out of favour at Inter Milan and could be signed on a similar deal to the one that took Michael Owen to Manchester United. Speaking on TalkSport, former Gunners striker Ian Wright said: “I’m hearing Vieira, pay-as-you-play back at Arsenal. That’s what I’m hearing, and that’s what I’m hoping.”
Tags: man city, manchester city, toure, viera
