Arsene Wenger says his focus is to get as many of Arsenal’s injured players back to fitness, but that he’s in the market for ‘at least one’ player this January.
The Gunners have been linked strongly with Mohamed Elneny from FC Basel, with reports that he’d completed a medical, the deal only held up due to his need for a work permit.
However, after his team’s win over Newcastle today, he was giving nothing away about when it might be done.
“We have not signed anybody and we are not imminently in a position where we can say we have signed somebody,” he said.
“We are out there to get someone but at the moment we haven’t signed anybody.”
Asked about what his intentions are for the month, he continued, “Ideally, I would like first our injuries to come back. After that, I think at least one [new player].”
Very busy in January – like someone commented on this website Wenger must have been thinking of the FA Cup and League games to prepare and manage!
Just to clarify – I assumed that the Elneny deal was done and dusted except for the work permit issue!
This would be vintage Arsene if we don’t sign anyone after all of his talk of a busy window.
I love Arsene, I really do, but if he doesn’t buy anyone in this window, and we bottle our title challenge, he has to go for me.
This is our best chance of winning it for a decade, he has to go and make the additions to the squad we desperately need.
This. Much as I love what Wemger has done for the club in the past, it was foolish, short-sighted arrogance, combined with the very questionable gambit of relying on injury prone players to avoid injury, that led to this situation. How could he honestly have thought Pete Cech was all he needed to win the title? Don’t get me wrong, Cech has been a fantastic signing, but we needed more, and we’re only top of the league right now because we’ve been the least worst of all the big teams; thus far we’ve got away with more bad results than… Read more »
So we’re only top because we’re bad but other teams are worse? Now that sounds like a bunch of shit. If we win the league and I hope we do, it doesn’t matter how bad other teams are. What matters is we’re better than other teams for the course of a season and that’s exactly what it’s looking like up till now. I’m sure you were giving shit at Arsene for not winning anything in 10 years but never discount the titles won by Chelsea or City down to “Arsenal being really poor due to financial handicap.” Yet when the… Read more »
Right on the money IAG.
Mind boggling that 60 plus people think otherwise.
As you say, this is a Golden opportunity. Only City – no disrespect to Leicester – look like they are serious. Utd could come back but van Gagal will need a miracle and Chelsea need more than that. This opportunity won’t come again for another 12 years, if then.
and yet we’re top of the league with the squad we have, ravaged as it is with injuries and little to bring off the bench. if that doesn’t tell you something about how well the players are being motivated and managed and you think that the key to success is buying in more players then you’re probably missing quite a lot about the game unquestionably some decent signings would be a welcome boost to our season, but to dismiss what we’ve already achieved this season so far and to suggest that it hangs entirely on transfer business alone is just… Read more »
Thanks for the analysis Alan Hanson, but no one is suggesting that we dismiss what we’ve achieved this season, or that any signing automatically equates to success. They don’t. But this is a season unlike any in the EPL side it’s inception. Hitherto one favourite after another has gone backwards. If Ferguson was in our position, he wouldn’t hesitate to act because he knew that when you’re on top, you turn the screw on the opposition and increase your advantage. That’s why he was a serial winner. We were in a similar position to this some six years or so… Read more »
I just think its so cut and dry this year.
If he buys the players in January that we need, we will win the league. If he doesn’t, we wont win it.
I think if Arsene doesn’t win the league due to our squad running out of steam, because of the lack of squad depth – and he didn’t strengthen over the window, then he as to go, or step down for me.
So, no Messi then?
No Messi, no Ronaldo, no…
VENGA OUT!
Bring in M…. Nope can’t even say it sarcastically.
Bring in Sam Allardyce. Big Sam will save us!
Get in, Arsene!
Just Elneny it is then…oh well.
Read it….Wenger said “At least one.”
Exactly, that old chestnut…oh Arsene, we do love you.
Lots of LANS.
Media and some still calling for 3 players. Still need a “world class” striker despite Giroud and Walcott clearly doing the business and our goal haul this season. Whatever. Still need a Cback despite Gabriel coming in to offer rotation to Meterscielny. Whatever. The only need (as it was last summer) is in central midfield. In that, Arteta is also on the mend and will be available shortly. So likely as mentioned someone who can pick up some of the creative side going forward (in case Ramsey gets a knock) and cover a bit of DM (in case Flamini gets… Read more »
I think you lost most of us at the “Arteta is also on the mend and will be available shortly” part of the story
“Arteta is also on the mend and will be available shortly.” We can’t count on this, even if it’s true. We need a like for like, in terms of quality, replacement for Coq. Neither Flam or Arteta are any more. Outside of that I think we should be looking for a CM to play there when Santi goes back to Spain in a year or two. Maybe jack is the player to do this but I doubt it. Ramsey is currently showing us that he isn’t responsible enough to do it. 1-0 up with minutes remaining today and he was… Read more »
It vexes me a little bit that people are so harsh on Ramsey. At 1-0, with Chambers, Gibbs and Flamini on, who else is actually going to attsck but Ozil and Campbell?
If he had scored (or passed – which he definitely should have I’ll give you that) he may have actually got the credit he deserved for a game in which he looked like one of the only ones to make something happen!
Very well put!!
Walcott isn’t getting the business done.
I keep asking why he says that. The “Rammini” partnership was overran for most of the game. I really worry about when we play Stoke because we might get slaughtered with this pairing.
Elneny is better than flamini. He has better technical ability and is just as aggressive.
Yes, we are in a fantastic position albeit by lack of real quality in key areas across the board. I somehow feel like we’re flirting on the edge of glory yet battling chronic failure. Let’s remember we signed no outfield players in the summer and had we, who knows where we’d be.
Yes if Wenger had bought we’d be top of the league by now….. Oh wait…..
Come on Arsene try getting a quality signing done.
This title race might just turn to be very close.City just got a massive win themselves.Was heartbroken watching them turn it around like that.
Get Diaby in! Always been like a new signing.
As always Wenger playing his cards close to his chest
Kim Källstrom spotted in a wheelchair being pushed through Heathrow
Sorry Ron thumbed you instead of up. Very funny.
Damn! Suspicions confirmed!
Don’t see us signing more than one player unless we let Debuchy go out on loan and he signs a young RB (highly doubtful on signing one though). Really worry about Flamini holding up at his age and how much he has and will be playing.
Flamini is 31 years old and yet people talk about his age as if he is 37! He has just started playing regularly so he should be relatively fresh. He is more mobile and less injury prone than Arteta and so I think he is an asset to the team. Let’s praise him for once.
Exactly I mentioned that to someone before. Arteta is slightly older but that tells and the knocks and niggles will only get worse. Flamini is a decent player and he does his job. Plus the added bonus going forward is even if we do get another CM/DM, Flamini will be extremely useful in the squad because of his versatility. Coupled with experience, he is the sort of player you want to keep ready on the bench over the next couple of seasons before the new mid shows true ability. Per, Flamini and Giroud never get credit from some narrow minded… Read more »
And…don’t forget his Emirates record!
All true. After getting more game time this season Flamini has looked good. He’s due some credit.
Not saying he can’t do the job, just without any proper backup and his playing each match the worry is he will pickup additional injuries as he has over the last couple of seasons. If you remember that is how Coquelin got back into the lineup.
I will be happy if between Wilshere, Rozza and Welbeck, we get 900 minutes this season. I hope from now onwards we start getting a player back each fortnight.
“Hope” is the keyword here!
Sanchez surely has to top the list of most exciting LANS ever.
I saw on another site that Wenger was quoted that Carzola is due back in mid-February (not sure if that means for matches or for training) which would be great news, thought he was out until April. here is the quote:
“It’s more about quality than quantity because our players will not stay out injured forever. Francis Coquelin is starting to run, Santi Cazorla will be back in mid-February, and Mikel Arteta is back now so, hopefully, if we can add one and, if needed, two maximum.”
Actually it’s a bit of a misquote. He said “Coquelin is starting to run, Cazorla in mid-February…” So I think he’s starting running in mid-February. So April is still realistic return date.
We shall see. One can never be sure re: return dates. Plus, while as I’d like to I don’t factor Arteta these days, I simply don’t. As far as quality vs quantity goes, it’s a valid point. Having said that, any signing which pushes Flamini away from a starting spot (or primary back up) would be very welcome.
Flamini covered us during a difficult period.
Rammini secured us the critical win against Olympiakos.
Also the vital win against City.
Coquelin has been on the recieving end of blip games too …Liverpool.
With players coming back, we are well placed to win the league
When are they back though – that’s the problem.
You’re talking about that useless cunt that smashed two goals in against sp*rs right….fucking legend..
And undefeated at home.
Flamini is doing Exactly what he is asked to do. Gives everything he has for the club, positive attitude, bleeds arsenal red through and through. Look at our record without Coq, Sanchez,Cazorla,Wilshire etc. … Stellar! I cannot but have the same lack of respect for some of our “fans/supporters” as they do for such a ” quality ” team member.
The man who has never lost a league game at the Emirates and got a brace at the Lane. If that’s not legend material, what is?
Add to that made a successful tackle of the ball -on the ground- with his head.
Has his off moments like any player, but remarkable for all of the above in my book.
I’m missing Sanogo.
Don’t say that, even in jest.
Akpom would be a nice addition too. Hope he can break through next season then.
You could really see today how badly we need a few more people in. We look totally exhausted and depleted mentally as well as physically. We limped over the line but we arn’t going to be able to do that against better teams to the end of the season.
Kalstrom in?
Judging by some of these comments Flaminis chant should go ‘Here’s to you Mathieu Flamini [some at] Arsenal loves you more than you will know’
NE realistic. He’s a fringe player that’s been called upon, and he’s doing a decent job.
and he doesn’t complain if he’s not started. Arteta and probably Rosicky are gone in the summer, but I see no need not to resign Flamini. It will keep Ozil happy too!
Wenger said “at least one, maximum two”, it does look like we will sign Elneny in the next few days, so maybe one more with him, I’d be very happy with that.
by the way if AFC need two or three players for a title bid, how many does every other team need, after all they are all below us in the table.
And don’t have the same number of top quality players to come back in the side after injury as Arsenal either.
Don’t get cocky. We’ve been top of the table before. 3 times if I’m not mistaken. And we completely bottled it.
Disappointed with Flamini..how could he missed the guy’s face
Seriously, all my glorious Gooners being sarcastic saying ‘Wenger Out’ soon as anyone talks about another poor transfer window need to take their rose tinted specs off.
The boss is class, no question but a 23 year old Egyptian playing in Switzerland will not win us the league or cover for Alexis, Wilshere, Welbeck, Our Coq etc until they’re back.
Wanyama got a red today. Who would have saw that coming? ?
He’s been poor for them all season.
Yet some would prefer him to Flamini.
Go figure.
I’d be fine with a signing and a clutch of loan players to boot. Toral can be converted into a deep-lying playmaker ala Arteta, but with more mobility and physicality (6’2). And I feel Ramsey works better with a DLP than a DM, as we need someone to control the overall passing tempo and possession of the team in the centre without Ozil dropping deep, something we lack when neither Arteta or Santi are playing. Gnabry and Wellington Silva can add some much needed wide cover to the team, which then allows either Theo or Campbell (I prefer the latter)… Read more »
Toral is a good shout, would be even better if we add Samper (€5m buyout allegedly) to the mix.
We have to go for Isco and Leroy Sane! They are the top, top qualoty that can win us titles
Others have made the same point but I will again – it’s kind of cathartic to type it out. This season the title is there for the taking. Our squad is very thin & there’s no guarantee of return dates for the injured. We need reinforcements! In my opinion, Elneny alone isn’t going to be enough. If we’re serious about taking the title, now is the moment to act.
Yesterday I cheered so loud when Fabianski almost scored that header!
I can’t be the only one
Unfortunate it didn’t go in, but you know Fabianskis heart is truly Arsenal when he puts in efforts like that, keep it up bro
Buying players to plug a short term gap is idiocy. If buying expensive players is the answer, Manshitty or Manures would be top. Let’s stop moaning about buying players and see what Arsenal come up with.
Elneny signing is the one that will definitely happen but who is the second ‘possible’ signing? Wenger is a tease!
Go for Toni Kross !!!
Not to yell out random strikers like messi etc. But Romelu -freaking- Lukaku. Think about it. Good lad, great spirit. Playing for a team in 13th. He is 22, he is beginnig to show consistency and has 15 goals in PL. Yes he will cost 45m. but he will not get cheaper in the summer
I like Lukaku but there is no way Everton will let him go now, why would they, they know clubs will be falling over themselves to out bid each other in the summer…
We do not really need any other signing aside from the likely Elneny. We have players coming back in February. Once we get that midfield balance again, we are off racing again. There must be times when you labour to win, its absolutely normal. How did being complete help Barcelona against Espanyol? You just have to power through in tough times.
Who are all these world class players that half the people on here say we should bring in?? And more importantly are their clubs willing to let them go???
Imagine another club needed a world class player to push them towards the title and put in a bid for Ozil?? What would Wenger say?…think on.
The amount of chances Newcastle created on Saturday were purely due to our lack of a proper DM.
Flamini’s contribution to the game was minimal, other than his couple of customary Jackie Chan impressions. Ramsey was more interested in showboating up front rather than defending.
Arsene, get your wallet out and buy a DM that will lead us to the title, NOW!
utter nonsense, Newcastle did not break through us down the middle, they came at us from wide positions, they played with a five man midfield, we had a two, and Ox and Theo did feck all to help out our midfield. If you re-watch the game, you will actually see that on nearly all Newcastle’s scoring chances, both Ramsey and Flamini were in good defensive positions in and around the edge of our area, Bellerin and Monreal were the ones being dragged out of position, again I say this was mainly due to Ox and Theo not putting in a… Read more »
Newcastle’s two clearest chances (both Wijnaldum one-on-one’s with Cech, both saved by Cech) were:
In the first half Ramsey first gets easily beaten outside our box by Wijnaldum who then passes to the right to Janmaat who crosses. Ramsey fluffs an easy-looking clearance and allows Wijnaldum to be in a clear scoring position.
In the second half Ramsey gives the ball away to Tiote who goes straight through the middle, dances around Flamini and makes a perfect through ball to Wijnaldum who’s one-on-one with Cech.
So was I watching another game?
http://arsenalist.com/f/2015-16/arsenal-vs-newcastle/arsenal-vs-newcastle-motd-highlights-and-analysis.html
I posted a response but didn’t see it.
Both of Newcastle’s best chances (Wijnaldum”s one-on-one with Cech that saved on both occassions) were created through the middle.
In the first half Ramsey gets beaten in the middle, half-way between our box and the centre line, then he fluffs an easy-looking clearance after a cross from the right, presenting a clear scoring opportunity to Wijnaldum.
Then in the second half Ramsey gives the ball away to Tiote who runs straight through the middle, goes past Flamini and makes a perfect through ball for another Wijnaldum one-on-one.