Arsenal: Wenger Will Not Buy New Striker in the January Transfer Window

Arsene Wenger has declared he is unlikely to buy a new striker in the January transfer window. He stated this at the pre-match conference for the Wigan-Arsenal game later this afternoon. 

"At the moment, I do nothing in January, I have a big squad, but if you knock at my door and say 'I have a fantastic player for you', I will not turn it down," he says.

This is contrary to the expectation of many Arsenal fans who have been hoping for at least one new signing as an insurance for the in-form Robin Van Persie, in case of injury or burn out. In recent weeks, Arsenal have been linked with FC Köln striker, Lukas Podolski, for example.

Wenger announces this despite acknowledging the danger this could pose for the team in the event of an unexpected injury  to Robin Van Persie. He seems confident though that either Ju Young Park, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Arshavin could step up and provide the needed cover.

What is noteworthy, however, is the fact that Arsenal will be without the services of both Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho for the whole of January and early February. Both will miss six weeks of Premier League action away on international duties for their respective countries.

Their absence will reduce Arsenal's striking option in the critical month of January. This fact raises questions regarding this announcement by Wenger.

Suddenly, all those tantalizing names Gooners of all stripes have been hoping to see don Arsenal colors in January appear destined to remain in the realm of fantasy, at least for a while longer.

Although Arsene Wenger could only be saying this to deflect attention away from the players he could be targeting, his words may be closer to reality than any shrewd maneuver on his part. Wenger, we know, is notoriously reticent when it comes to transfer signings.

This reticence, while having its own virtue, may have been what cost Arsenal silverware last season.

Gooners would recall that during this period last year, it appeared evident to everyone but Wenger that Arsenal needed a bolstering of the defense to give the team a realistic chance at challenging for the Premiership title.  Wenger's stance then was similar—he didn't think Arsenal's large squad needed any reinforcement.

As an admirer of Wenger and his principles and philosophy, I usually find little to criticize him for, but I often have to concede the fact that he has the tendency to be blinded—by these same virtues—to realities that are apparent to everyone else but himself.

If Wenger persists with the current view, do you see a similar situation to last year's befalling Arsenal again? Do you think it would be better to play it safe and sign another striker just in case? As far as this declaration goes, do you think he really is in earnest or could he be bluffing?

Oh, and he is pulling that line about good players again.