Wenger - We lack the cash

Gunners boss insists he has no choice but to unearth youngsters

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 24th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger - We lack the cash

Wenger: Hasn't got the funds

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Arsene Wenger insists he does not have the funds to compete with his title rivals and is not simply being cautious with Arsenal's finances.

The Arsenal boss is seen by many to be reluctant to pay the big money it takes to sign today's top stars but the Frenchman insists he has not got large sums just sitting in the bank.

Wenger has been criticised, even by some Arsenal fans, for his lack of activity at the top end of the transfer market but the North London club still managed to sign Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin both for over £12million last term.

However the former Monaco manager warns fans that their policy of unearthing promising youngsters rather than buying the finished article will continue next season.

"I'm fed up with people who think I have £100million in the bank yet don't want to spend it," he told the club's official magazine.

"How can people think that?

"The pride of the club is having moved to a new stadium while maintaining the team at the top level."

Keeping the faith

Wenger is adamant that while his club can not compete financially with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United last season's cup runs highlight that their policy does work.

"We cannot pump £100million into it, so we must keep faith in what we are doing as I believe this team does a lot of things right," he added.

"It does not need to be transformed. When you go on a long unbeaten run in the league and reach two semi-finals as we did last season, common sense tells you that.

"The future looks bright. But I want to add to the squad and I have identified one or two targets. However identifying players and buying them are two different things."

Despite reaching the last four of the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, the Gunners still finished 18 points behind Premier League champions United in fourth.

Wenger knows his side have no divine right to be in the top four and they must avoid any complacency next term, with the emergence of Manchester City, if they are to qualify for the Champions League again.

"You can expect them to spend a lot of money so they will be going for it too," he pointed out.

"There is no guarantee the top four will remain the same."