Wenger eyes 'huge players'

Gunners boss uninterested in footballers with a name

By James Dall   Last updated: 9th May 2008

arsene wenger arsenal

Wenger: Eyeing players of worth

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stated that his 'two or three' summer targets must boast talent and values.

There has been talk of an exodus at Emirates Stadium after reports claimed that Alexander Hleb could be next to follow Mathieu Flamini in seeking pastures new.

However, Wenger has since quashed rumours of Hleb's departure, and instead turned attention towards his summer transfer targets.

"There are plenty of players who want to join us, don't worry, we have no problem on that front," he said on the club's official website.

220 calls

"What is unbelievable is I'm sitting here like we have killed all the players and when I go to my office I have 220 calls from players who want to come in.

"What we need next year is two or three players maybe. We need talent. I think a huge player is better than a huge name. You have huge names who produce very little at the moment.

"But don't worry, we will have a team to compete for the championship next year.

"What is a big club? Is it only down to trophies? This club here has a history of being built by people of values.

"For me that is a big club, a club that comes out of people's desire to respect values. Look at our whole history, it's clean.

Vital

"That is why at the head of the club you have a responsibility to keep these values and to make sure that people who come after you can be proud.

"They may say this manager didn't win enough trophies, but the club has kept its reputation within the values for the whole history. That is vital.

"I have a responsibility, it is not what I like, it is not what the players like, it is what is good for the club. That's the only decision I will make."