Wenger determined to keep stars

Arsenal boss desperate to secure Adebayor stay

Last updated: 22nd June 2008  

Wenger determined to keep stars

Wenger: Transfer concerns

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he is more likely to spend his summer transfer kitty on the battle to keep hold of his Emirates Stadium stars.

Wenger has been watching Euro 2008 as he considers new signings to help the Gunners end a three-year wait for silverware and he has been linked with a £10million move for Russia ace Andrei Arshavin.

However, the Frenchman fears he will not have enough financial clout to compete with Europe's biggest clubs in the transfer market and confesses he will focus his attention on ensuring the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor remain in England.

Wenger - who was forced to watch on as Mathieu Flamini agreed a free transfer to Milan - now faces a battle to avoid losing Adebayor to a big-money move to the San Siro, but the Arsenal boss insists he will do all he can to keep hold of his star striker.

"I brought my cheque-book (to Euro 2008) but, having looked at the prices, I've realised it isn't big enough," Wenger - who is also hoping to keep hold of Alexander Hleb - said in the Sunday Mirror.

"I've not been surprised by the quality on show. There is a fantastic young generation of players coming through.

"But I will use my cheque-book first to keep the players I already have."

Discipline

Meanwhile, Togo captain Adebayor has been accused of a lack of discipline by his international boss Henri Stambouli.

"There is no discipline in our squad," Stambouli added. "Just look at our leader, Adebayor.

"He has not spent enough time with us in our team get-togethers and some of his team-mates have copied him by getting up to various escapades.

"We have a captain who is not fully integrated into the squad. I have had a stern talk with him and I hope things will soon turn normal."