Wenger: Late dash

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.

Arsene Wenger
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hinted at making 'one or two' signings before the close of the transfer window.

Wenger is thought to be in the market for a central midfielder, but faces a race against time if he is to further bolster his squad before the deadline on 1st September.

Last summer, the Gunners landed Lassana Diarra from Chelsea on deadline day, and Wenger has intimated at a repeat of his late dealings.

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.

Poised

"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."

Wenger added that he has 'no interest at all' in rumoured target Jonathan de Guzman, who currently plies his trade with Feyenoord.

The Gunners chief went on to voice his backing for Uefa's investigation into the finances of European football.

"It is very welcome," said Wenger. "I think teams who have deficit should be kicked out of Europe.

"The only way to go is that there is a control over all of Europe, and I think it will go that way whether you like it or not.

Vital

"Uefa will bring in a control of the management of every individual club and every individual club will be controlled.

"It is very important for the fans of the competition first, and it is very important that every club lives with the resources they have available - clubs should not speculate and then after one year they cannot pay the salaries for the next seasons.

"Every transfer nowadays in Europe is paid over two or three years, and it is compulsory that Uefa controls that the commitment of the club is right, because if that does not happen, it can all collapse very quickly."