Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he is not on the look out to buy a defender this January, but the Frenchman will take someone on loan if the opportunity presents itself. Speaking to Arsenal.com on Friday night, Wenger admitted he is still short in numbers at the back despite the return to fitness of Squillaci but won’t spend the funds to secure a permanent signing as it means the Gunners will be left paying the wages of five centre backs once Vermaelen returns from injury:
“No I don’t rule it out,” said Wenger. “If we can get a defender on loan until the end of the season, it is an ideal solution for us.
“It would not get us into a position where we have to pay five defenders for four years and it would cover the season. If we find that opportunity we will do it. We believe in the quality of the defenders we have, but we are a bit short in numbers.
“We’ve looked and we’ve not found any reasonable solutions. We’re in a situation where we’re happy with the performances of Squillaci, Djourou, Koscielny and we believe in the quality of Vermaelen.
“If we buy another one, first, we have to buy him for four years and then we have to pay him for four years. We will have five centre backs.
“People say always: ‘you must buy, buy, buy.’ But you must pay them as well. You want to sign a player for four years, all the others are on long contracts and then suddenly you have five and then Song is six.
“What do six centre backs do? Watch the games in the stands because they don’t play.
What do Gooners think? Is Wenger right to look at a loan signing? Will a player with the required quality be available on loan? Leave your comments below…
