Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Opens Up on Plans Amid Major Rumours
Arsene Wenger has revealed he is more focused on developing Arsenal's next generation than spending lavishly in the transfer market.
The French manager also suggested he is unlikely to sell any of his stars this summer as he looks to emulate the previous success of teams such as Barcelona and Manchester United—who have accumulated huge affluence and silverware by bringing through their own talent.
Wenger's comments were reported by Matt Barlow of MailOnline:
"We can still buy but I don't think we'll sell.
We want to combine stronger financial resources with faith in our philosophy. We want to give chances to young players, build them inside the club with our culture.
Most clubs who have been successful have done that well.
You can take Barcelona or Manchester United, who had a generation and built their success on players who came from within.
These are our values and it is our DNA. It's important we keep that.
"
The veteran manager suggests buying world-class winners—such as Petr Cech, who arrived from Chelsea this summer—comes second to providing emerging talents with an opportunity to shine: "After, if we can buy the exceptional players, we can compete today but that will not be the basis of our policy."
Wenger admitted that he thinks about retiring "for no longer than five seconds" at a time and that he's "more committed than ever" to landing success with Arsenal.
His side finished third last season, 12 points behind champions Chelsea. It's been 11 years since Arsenal last lifted the Premier League trophy, with the Blues, United and Manchester City the only successful teams since.
Successive FA Cup victories over the last two seasons should provide Wenger with confidence, though. Arsenal are more than matched to challenge the best in knockout competitions. However, it's been years since they have managed to find the consistency needed across a 38-game league season.
This was highlighted during 2014-15, when they put together a 10-game unbeaten run between February 10 and May 11. However, they grabbed three points just once in four matches from the latter date.
Although Cech is a quality signing, Arsenal need a prolific goalscorer and a defensive-midfield alternative to Francis Coquelin to pad out the squad. Strength in depth is vital and played a major role in Chelsea easing to the title last season.
France Football (h/t talkSPORT) reports the Gunners are ready to compete with local rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the signing of Borussia Dortmund speedster Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Jamie Sanderson of Metro also cites France Football and reports Arsenal's original £28.7 million bid was previously rejected.
BVB sporting director Michael Zorc told Kicker (h/t Sky Sports): "We rely heavily on Aubameyang—that is no secret. I've heard a lot about this (a transfer to Arsenal) but I can say very clearly that it is blocked for him. He is simply not for sale."
Kike Marin of El Confidencial also pinpoints two potential targets for Wenger:
B/R UK's Sam Tighe graded Arsenal's transfer window so far:
Wenger's principles are respectable and have led Arsenal to success over the last two seasons. However, it's difficult to escape the feeling Arsenal are a couple of top signings away from a more sustained Premier League challenge.
The transfer window remains open for another 40 days, but at this point, it seems Arsenal and Wenger are happy to play a background role in the shenanigans.
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