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Defiant Wenger Bullish Ahead Of New Season
Arsene Wenger believes he has a squad ready to challenge on all fronts this season. Even if no new players arrive at The Emirates stadium.
The Arsenal manager has lost key players again this summer in Robin van Persie and Alexandre Song, but he is convinced new signings Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla, along with the emergence of young talents and returning players will ensure a fine season.
Speaking to French sports broadcaster DNF, Wenger was in ebullient form.
"They say buy, buy, buy. But we buy. And they still say buy. It is difficult to understand. But we have bought. And we may buy more.
"If there is top, top, top, top quality available, the we of course are little bit curious. We are always interested in top, top, top, top quality and they are interested in us. As well you know there are many players who love Arsenal. It will surprise you how many players. But do we buy? It is not always about buying.
Wenger has faith that his young charges will repay his faith and is not sure if he will buy. He is particularly proud of the emerging British contingent.
"If we buy another player for the midfield area, what do we do to Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey? I cannot tell you. But maybe we kill them. You must see of course as well Diaby and Wilshere are like new signings. These boys are the future of Arsenal. They are young and British and we train them in the Arsenal way. If we kill them now there is a 44/58 chance that you cannot convince people you are a good rehabilitation centre.
The Frenchman is also surprised by the lack of overall activity this summer.
"If I told you we would be the busiest club this summer you would not believe me! Of course QPR have bought little bit job lot but they do not operate in the real world. In the real world I must tell you we have been exceptionally busy. Manchester City and Chelsea and PSG and Liverpool and West Ham have bought players but apart from those clubs and Manchester United and Blackburn and Tottenham it is a very quiet market. There is no movement.
"You have a saying in England: the early bird catches the worm. But if one bird travels with only sweat and cannot catch the super quality worm, it is perhaps because the other bird travels with petrol and clears out the forest. Is the other bird Manchester City? There is a small possibility.
One thing Wenger will confirm going into the weekend clash with Liverpool is the imminent return of Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere.
"Sagna has a little fibula. He will return after the international break. But we do not like to say exactly when. Tuesday the 18th. 2-3 weeks.
"Wilshere? I do not know him."