Arsene Wenger defends Arsenal's transfer strategy: You have to be brave enough to say no

Unrepentant: Wenger insisted that Arsenal could not find an 'efficient solution'
David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Olley10 September 2015

Arsene Wenger today insisted he did not lie about the extent of Danny Welbeck’s injury and defended Arsenal’s decision not to sign a striker in the transfer window.

The Gunners were fiercely criticised after becoming the only side in Europe’s top five leagues not to bring in an outfield player this summer with goalkeeper Petr Cech the solitary addition to their squad.

That lack of activity was exacerbated when the club announced in a statement released on September 3 that Welbeck had undergone knee surgery following a consultation which took place prior to deadline day.

Wenger had been accused of misleading supporters over the nature of Welbeck’s injury until after the window had closed, heightening their anger over the failure to strengthen in attack amid strong links to Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Edinson Cavani of Paris St Germain.

But the Frenchman told Standard Sport: “Whether we have players injured or not doesn’t change the problem, that's what I don’t understand from the media. First of all I am surprised that people accused me of lying when I was in the press conference on Friday morning [before the transfer deadline], I did not know Welbeck had a bad setback.

“I did not lie to you, I gave you the information I had. I heard late on Friday night that his condition had not evolved as well as we thought it was and he had needed specialist and needed further investigation. Apart from that, if we did not find someone [to sign], we did not find them.

“We were ready to do something, but you have to be convinced that it’s not just to please people, that it’s an efficient solution. And the efficient solution didn’t turn up. As well you have to be brave enough to say no.”

Wenger confirmed Welbeck will be out “certainly until Christmas”, meaning Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott will have an extended opportunity to lead Arsenal’s attack. The Arsenal manager urged supporters to get behind their existing players rather than pine for alternatives who are rarely available.

“Let’s not be naive as well - these players have experience, they are 28 and 26 years old and they know the job, they know what to do, they are ambitious, they have the quality,” he said. “I think as well to support the club and support the team is to stand behind the players.

“It is not always expecting someone coming down from heaven to sort out all your problems. Support is believing in the players in the squad and this is a good opportunity to do that for our supporters.”

Wenger will be able to call upon Laurent Koscielny (back) and Per Mertesacker (virus) for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Stoke after both players returned to full training but he revealed Jack Wilshere has had a “little setback” in his recovery from a hairline fracture in his left ankle.

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No return date has been set. “[His recovery] is slower than expected as I expected him to be back and available after the break but unfortunately he will not be available for Saturday,” said Wenger. “He had a little setback and I have to know about it but I can’t tell you much more as I have no medical information.”

Arsenal also revealed they will donate £1 for every ticket sold against Stoke to help the Syrian refugee crisis.

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