Saturday 24 August 2013

Arsenal embarrassed as email to fans admits 'disappointment' over transfers - Telegraph.co.uk

The news emerged as manager Wenger confessed Champions League qualification was essential to the club's hopes of not ending the transfer window empty-handed.

With Wednesday's 3-0 victory over Fenerbhace in the first-leg, play-off having all but guaranteed a 16th successive season in the group stages of the competition, Wenger admitted the outcome of the tie would determine whether he adds to his squad before the Sept 2 deadline.

The victory coincided with a fresh surge of transfer activity from Arsenal, who made moves for Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Angel Di María in what could be an £80million spending spree.

With Arsenal having failed with efforts to sign Luis Suárez and Gonzalo Higuaín, Wenger can hardly afford further setbacks 10 days before the window closes.

He said: "I can guarantee you, every player who wants to join us, the first question is, 'Do you play in the Champions League or not?' It is as simple as that. The players who want to come, or go somewhere or not, is decided on that. That is the first requirement of the top, top, top level players."

Reaching the group stages could also help Wenger land targets including Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba, Micah Richards, Ashley Williams and Vicente Guaita.

Free agent Mathieu Flamini looks set to sign for a second time, having trained with Arsenal, who have no fresh injury concerns for Saturday's second Premier League game of the season at Fulham.

That will be a relief to Wenger, who admitted his squad was not big enough to cope. "With the number, at the moment we are short," he said. "Therefore, I would be a bit worried that number-wise, we are not strong enough to cope with all the targets a club like that has."

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