Wenger: I Will Be Busy In January Transfer Window

Good news Gooners. Arsene Wenger has admitted he expects to be busy when the transfer window re-opens in January.

We’ve been linked with a whole host of names in recent weeks and the boss was quizzed about his transfer plans next month when he faced the media on Friday at his weekly press conference ahead of tonight’s clash with Newcastle.

As I reported yesterday, Wenger recently responded to questions regarding reported interest in David Villa, Demba Ba and Thierry Henry. As expected, he gave little away but the boss did confirm to Arsenal.com yesterday that he expects to be busy in January.

Wenger refused to reveal his targets but did claim it’s not easy to find a player who can strengthen our team (sound familiar?!). He told the clubs official website:

“Yes, I will be busy,” he confirmed. “I don’t feel under pressure to name names because you [the media] find them on your own.

“We have the potential to be in the Champions League with what we have. We are open to strengthening the team, but the difficulty is to find what strengthens us. [You don’t always find that with] the players available on the market.

“Yes [we want players who can make an immediate impact], that is why it is so difficult as well. Man United bought Robin van Persie for £24million and he is 29 years old.

“They have scouts all over the world. They looked everywhere. Don’t think that they just came in and bought Van Persie, they looked everywhere else. But to find the quality of striker that would strengthen a top Premier League team at the moment in the world is difficult.”

Is the boss hinting that he’s looking for a striker here? I hope so! It’s clear we need to add another striker next month and while it’s never easy to buy in January, I certainly think there are players out there who’re available and who could come in and make us stronger.

We’ve heard the boss say before that he was going to buy, only for us to be left empty handed, and i just hope he isn’t getting his ‘we couldn’t find a player good enough to improve our team‘ excuses in early.

Personally, I feel we need to sign a goalkeeper, versatile defender, defensive midfielder and a striker next month, plus replacements for any player who leaves. So i certainly hope Arsene is going to be busy, but realistically i think he means busy not only bringing players in but also shipping a few out, too.

One player who could be on his way out is Russian flop Andrey Arshavin with Arsene confirming to Arsenal.com that he is willing to let him leave if a suitable offer comes in, but poured cold-water on reports claiming he was set to join Reading.

“No, that is not on the radar,” he said. “I have not had a call from Reading.

“But if he finds a solution that is satisfying for him and for us we will consider it.”

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Arshavin has been nothing more than a squad player in recent months and it’s about time we get his wages off the books and let the likes of Thomas Eisfeld or Serge Gnarby replace him in the first-team squad.

Who would you like to see come to the Emirates next month? Get involved in the comments section below.