Arsenal Mania

Wenger determined to sign before transfer deadline

Written by Jonathan Chong on Sunday, August 31, 2008

Manager Arsène Wenger has hinted that there is a chance of the Gunners making 'one or two' signings before the close of the transfer window tonight.

The Gunners have had by far the most busy summer transfer window in recent years, with more players coming into the squad but Arsenal fans are still hoping for that one big-name signing.

There is a consensus that the team needs a defensive midfielder and a top-class goalkeeper, but Wenger is only willing to make the purchase if it benefits the squad.

The Frenchman said: "Last year it was at midnight - and we are ready to stay up all night this time if it is needed. We have still a long time to go.

"For a while they all talk the talk and nothing happens, then in the last four or five days every half-an-hour there is a headline saying someone has signed somewhere.

"When you have experience of transfer dealings, you know that as long as something is not signed you know it can change very quickly so you can look very silly, so you don't want to come out and announce it.

"We are out to look, if we find the right players we will do it, one or two.

"However, I believe it's more interesting for us to focus on our strengths and quality rather than looking outside. I know it makes headlines, but it doesn't make you win games."

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User Comments

42

ebit

Posted on 9 Sep, 2008 at 05:11 AM - Reply

i think arsene must buy new player to replace hleb, flamini for support fabregas in midfilder attacking.. alonso & salamon kalou.. or someone for to beat this BPL title..

41

Gooner 4 Life

Posted on 6 Sep, 2008 at 01:02 PM - Reply

Come on guys !! What short memories we have. When has AW ever bought the so called 'Big Names'?? Every year people moan and every year he uncovers yet another diamond ! this years will be Nasri ! not bought for 30 mill but, who wants to bet in 2 years someone offers that for him???? We have a manager who has the knowledge to uncover talent for less than half the market value. Sounds like good business to me. Gooners are always the same ! no patience ! we moaned for years about the capacity at highbury- SORTED mostly by Wenger. We moaned about the unnattractive football-SORTED all by Wenger ! How quickly we forget what that man has bought to our club. Even at the expense of managing his own country. Is anyone trying to say that any of the big spending clubs wouldnt love to have him ????

40

Shamz

Posted on 4 Sep, 2008 at 12:36 AM - Reply

Just have some trust, to be honest who would we buy?? the only thing wenger should have done is give that extra 3-4 mill for alonso, but he's a bit tight, but in the mid, we have got cover and don't for get we got selvest who hopefully will make a differance..
and you guys who want him fired who would you rather have that Wenger?? there's no1 who can create a world class team, they can only manage and buy a team. we've shown we don't need to speed 40-50 mill each season. we just need a few decent signing just for cover, and sell the like's of eboue and sorry to save VP as i would love him to be at arsenal, but he's allways got some problem and thats gona hold us back,
Like the other day, scores 2 n then goes off with an injury. bet you when he comes back from holland he'll be out for a few weeks, it always happens

39

JKHK

Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:37 PM - Reply

Hey this season the anther bad time ,trust me WR kill this club he will be training his nationality men he use .what is the uses of Silivester ,nothing .Arsenal Club is the big club it is not kids club ,we need big player not silvest ,like Tony Adams ,I think trust me we go up to some 19 , 23 game after that we fail ,we run to the back ,only we compute up to this stage.Now our main aim is not winning every title b/c we cant,our aim is WR must be release our big clubtha is it.If we need change we start from the coach this is the first step.I love Arsenal too .
THE GUNNERS FOREVER.

38

Francesco

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 11:15 PM - Reply

It breaks my heart because I grew up with Arsenal and I spent the rest of my life supporting this wonderful club...I quit football before I give up on Arsenal... I just feel sorry for our greatest FABREGAS, he fights so hard in his young age and he will be our CAPTAIN soon... but tell me how bad it is to leave him ALONE... BOARD and Wenger should realize that he has a home called Barqa... which means he can be UNHAPPY one day and leave...also we have all these youngsters who fight hard for the club but they are without support... Please Wenger dont tell me EBOUE is a PASS MASTER anymore... For the first time in my life I have doupt in Arsenal Board...and this is not a good sign because I always was positive even though many people are not happy every summer they complain but I really feel uncofomortable lately... At least they can do, raise WAGES and dont play with minds of our players...

37

ivoryassassin

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 09:35 PM - Reply

arsenal are not a business there a football club , the board and arsene need to realise you need to compete with other clubs to keep the business floating.
i feel they are satisfied with making money from selling players and not from winning trophies.

36

austinvella

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 08:10 PM - Reply

i didn't satisfy about Wenger why he didn't buy any any quality players. I warned about Arsenal. Arsenal have many quality players but when first line up players is injury eg Fabregas who will substitute on him .So i don't want Arsenal as like as the last year do not get the title .

35

hasrul

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 05:23 PM - Reply

aw make me suprise already.he does not bid any player.what an incredible SURPRISE!!!!!

34

Prabu

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 05:14 PM - Reply

AW, Address the Fans NOW before it is too late and tell us where we are finishing in 2008-9 in EPL.Forget about CL.You can never do it.Answer straight.Dont bring eboue,vela stories please.
Arsenal Fans deserve as answer eventhough your BOD may not.

33

David

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 04:30 PM - Reply

It's not that we don't trust Wenger anymore, it's his lies that largely triggered these protests against his policy. We feel like being cheated every year when Wenger and the board said they got money and they would buy if needed. The truth is we are in great need of a DM and a proven striker, at the least. How will you trust a guy when he continues to break his promises each year?when he continues to struggle with the same problems?when he continues not to deliver with all the money said he has been given? (I don't get it: the board said he had their full support if he wanted to buy even a 30m-rated player, and he didn't. Then he chose to stick to his young kids and gamble in the man's game again?) He has lost it, big time. I strongly urge the board to fire him and get Hiddink or Rijikard before we are hugely embarrassed when we play the likes of ManU, Chelski, Man City, and probably the Spuds. Trust me, CESC, RVP, CLICHY, ROSICKY, and SAGNA will all leave after another trophiless season. As fans, we could do something before it's too late. No one is bigger than the entire club. Do you want to see we lose all these star players whilst holding on to Wenger? OF COURSE NOT!!!

32

zack ngige

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 03:59 PM - Reply

Arsene wenger shouldnt treat arsenal like a youth team we already have an arsenal youth team.
we need top class players coming in the idea of getting Arshavin was good.
an please sell eboue and gallas

31

goh

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 03:34 PM - Reply

i dont see any players bought after deadline...

30

Bujar

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 03:24 PM - Reply

Who are you going to bring?? KEEGAN??... Come on...

Wenger is irreplacable but Im so dissapointed, I stayed up these last couple of days and being anxious of our new signings... when I wake up today in the morning ... NOTHINGGGGGG.... Im so jelous of other teams, they keep signining and signing... I know we have SONG, DENILSON, DIABY, RAMSEY but even if we get VIEIRA back he would help us... I dont know, lets hope for a good season and God may Help ARSENAL....

29

kwickfit

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 02:00 PM - Reply

Promises are nothing until it’s been delivered. Mr wenger we have school boy team with school boy ambition

28

Cornish Gooner

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 01:52 PM - Reply

Firstly lets all write easily understandable english please! Secondly stop slagging off the greatest manager our club has seen in modern times. He has never let us down - Yes I am as gutted as the next man about no new signings - but Mr Wenger won't over pay - and good on him - Berbatov was over valued and lets see how he gets on at the theatre of shite this season (if he ain't injured!)
We have enough quality to put up a fight this season, and I expect us to do so. Come on guys show some respect.

27

Pichon

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 01:17 PM - Reply

So, that's it. We won't get any trophy this season...... again.

Wenger; you used to be a great coach. Now you are crap. With your signing policy you make us weaker every year. Meanwhile Manchester and Chelsea get stronger.

Please Wenger; it's time to step up. It was a long time since our last trophy, and we are not getting better, because the youngsters that develop into good players are selled like Hleb.

26

Mat S

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 12:51 PM - Reply

I am so sick of this. The sound of another transfer window slamming shut might as well be the death toll for Arsenal fans hoping for a trophy this season. All the talk of signings to be made seems to be smoke being blown up our backsides to put us off the scent. You can have all of the good performances against Newcastles and FC Twentes you like, it doesn't change the fact that once there are injuries (and there will be), the squad will be down to bare bones and the manager will be blaming the very same injuries for the problems when we get hammered by United/Chelsea/Man City/Liverpool, shirking the issue that the failure to bring in decent cover and support for our good players is the reason why once again we have to feel let down by what was once a capable of challenging for the top honours. Scrat around for the Carling Cup? At a push maybe. But forget the league, forget the Champions League, and forget the FA Cup. If this continues you are likely to upset a great many of the Arsenal fans that are losing confidence in nearly every level of the management hierarchy at Arsenal, from team Manager right up to the board. Get it sorted Arsenal, sharpish.

25

CD

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 12:43 PM - Reply

Guys, let's sell out our tickets and withdraw our membership to protest and hopefully they will listen and make some changes, starting by sacking Wenger. Because he together with some higher management morons is ruining our club. WE NEED FRESH INVESTMENT AND AN AMBITIOUS AND TACTICALLY GOOD COACH!

24

Alan J

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 11:40 AM - Reply

Trust Arsene

Have faith you faint hearted gooners!

23

jude

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 10:44 AM - Reply

wenger should be sacked for be stinge to team and to the fans thank u.

22

SLY (RMS co founder)

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 09:34 AM - Reply

No new signings!
Another trophyless season!
If Wengers waiting until the january transfer window then that'l be too late, i would prefer he just left.

21

Disillusioned Gooner

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 09:27 AM - Reply

Once again AW you listened to your ego and didn't buy, haven't you seen what is going on at Man City? In about 2 seasons we will be looking up at them and you would still be trying to win the league!! Yes, still trying because we will be in transition after Fab & the rest leave due to another trophyless season;when will we ever dominate the league? Never is the more likely answer. This season it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for AFC to win the league.
The reserves lost to Chelsea reserves last night which tells me there is something inherently wrong with our beautiful football and you are beginning to outlive your usefulness at AFC. Time will tell.

20

justice

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 08:23 AM - Reply

we have to sack the manager he dont wont to buy good players.

19

justice

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 08:16 AM - Reply

we have to the manager he dont wont to buy good players.

18

torol

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 07:10 AM - Reply

buying player? really????

17

Phriz

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 05:50 AM - Reply

It's so unfortunate that we have a deceitful manager. He said he was going to sign but he never did. I think the best thing for me is to find my way to spurs. I cant stay in a team that doesn't care about there fans . Team that only cares about there finance. SPURS, here I come.

16

?what?

Posted on 2 Sep, 2008 at 02:28 AM - Reply

wenger should try and buy xabi alonso he will be good in da midfield

15

Tzvetan Tzekov

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 08:57 PM - Reply

Neuer from Schalke and Hamsik from Napoli are the best options

14

Jonas

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 08:03 PM - Reply

Wenger won't sign anyone as he is having it all his way this year, and not listening to his fans...

Disgraceful, no trophies this year, perhaps no job anymore for him?

13

Disillusioned Gooner

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 06:46 PM - Reply

AW it would not be nice if the first english club David Villa plays for is not AFC, we will need his expertise this season.RVP is already injured with a bruised foot and rather than rest he is off to join his county's team for the internationals; although i remain optimistic for him i can see him missing some games again leaving us short as always. I want the team to play well, however i feel silverware this season is imperative to boost the morale of the motivators in the team and the team as a whole, the fans and of course there is immense financial reward that comes along with it; this should keep yourself and the board happy!!
We need to beat CFC,MUFC and LFC home & away this season so pull your wallet out and get the decent players in 'cos the fact remains we need to buy expertise to bolster the talent and potential.

12

hasrul

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 06:08 PM - Reply

just buy diego..

11

uskov

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 05:57 PM - Reply

Buy more young player. Better that below 15 yrs old.

10

menelik rudo

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 03:33 PM - Reply

wenger should sign nuer from shalke and essien from chelsea he has already said that he wants to come and play under wenger. If wenger isn't looking for a goalkeeper he should get obafemni from newcastle and play a 4-3-3 like liverpool

9

Alabi adedayo

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 03:04 PM - Reply

Wenger should try to take this season serious.

8

Jose

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 03:04 PM - Reply

Sure wenger will sign 1 or 2, 10 million dollar crappy young players from France.

7

william chibambo

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 02:57 PM - Reply

Let Barry come in and play with Cesc .Denilson may be coming in from bench till he comes in to play agaist big teams like Chelse,Man United,Liverpool.

6

Sammy

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 12:36 PM - Reply

I would suggest that Arsene should try to sign a defensive midfield player in which i prefer Garry Bareth of Aston Villa.

5

JeanTemmy

Posted on 1 Sep, 2008 at 12:26 PM - Reply

Yes he must buy othervwise injuries and shortage of skilled and strong players will affect this season negatively.

Go Gunners! Buy Mr AW.