Arsene Wenger '99% confident' over Arsenal signings

By Chris MacRae

Image: Arsene Wenger hopes to have his business done before deadline day

Arsene Wenger is '99 per cent confident' he will have strengthened his Arsenal squad before the transfer window closes.

Wenger has been criticised for not making big name additions in key areas and while admitting it has been a difficult summer, he is ready to silence the doubters with a double swoop.

The club's long-running pursuit of Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi is close to completion, and Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez is also poised to move to the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger has admitted he thought doing deals in this transfer window would be easier than it has ever been

When asked on Friday about new recruits, Wenger said: "We are working on the deals. We are not close enough to announce today that they will sign for us.

"Will we sign anyone before the window closes? I'm 99 per cent confident. I hope we will have done all our business before the last days of the window.

Advertisement
Image: Shkodran Mustafi is likely to complete a move to Arsenal

"It was a strange transfer market, I expected it to be easier than ever, it has been more difficult than ever.

"It looks like it will be frenetic in the last three days, everyone has sat on money but we know they will all splash out now."

Also See:

Fans' clamour more signings grew louder in the aftermath of the opening day defeat by Liverpool but Wenger is adamant he cannot allow himself to be swayed by supporters' wrath. 

As Arsenal close in on the signing of Lucas Perez, we take a look at three of his goals for Deportivo last season

"I'm happy when our supporters are happy," he said.

"But my job is to make the right decisions, if that is exactly similar to the contract of the players and that maintains the supporters being happy - that is even better. I focus first on making the right decisions for the club."

Premier League build-up LIVE!

All the news ahead of the weekend's action

Wenger said Mesut Ozil is close to returning to first-team action against Watford this weekend while Olivier Giroud is also expected back in the coming weeks. 

He said: "He [Ozil] is not far now. I have a decision to make in the next 24 hours. Giroud is a fraction behind physically."

Outbrain