Wenger plots reinforcements

Wenger: In the market

If we do buy I think what we need is maybe someone with a bit of experience.

Arsene Wenger
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he intends to bolster his side in the January transfer window.

The Gunners currently sit fourth in the Premier League table after a disappointing start to the season.

It has been suggested Wenger must strengthen his squad if the club are to haul themselves back into the title race.

Wenger has previously been coy over his plans to spend but has now announced he will look to add to his team to compensate for the long-term injuries to Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky.

"The transfer window opens (on Thursday) and, although we are not close to signing anyone at the moment, if we do buy I think what we need is maybe someone with a bit of experience," Wenger wrote in his programme notes for the visit of Portsmouth.

Arshavin

"We already have many young players so, if we buy, it will be somebody who is ready to play straight away. A loan deal could also be a possibility.

"Cesc is a long way from playing again, so are Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, and these are three creative players that we count on at the start of the season. So what we might need is someone who can create a little spark."

Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin has been mooted as a target, but Wenger has refused to divulge the names of his potential recruitments.

"I don't need to announce a name," Wenger said with a smile when asked by the French television channel Canal Plus about Arshavin.

"Because when you do that there is 50 per cent less chance of making the signing. But I need a creative midfielder and eventually another midfielder, because we are short."