Premier League - ARSENAL - ‘We’ll be stronger next season’ - says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger

Published: 14 May 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger has given an early insight into his summer transfer targets by insisting that he’s searching for valuable experience to balance the youthful exuberance in his squad. 

The Arsenal boss has also hinted that he is ready to look for bargains a little closer to home in a bid to make the most of his transfer kitty, which is believed to be around £30million to £40million. 

Wenger said: “We have plenty of young players. If we bring some players in then they have to be experienced players.

“I think we have been in the race this year with the team we had. We will be stronger next year just with the internal improvement and with the experience these players will have now. The additions will be minimal but if there are some they have to be really top class.” 

Arsenal have already been linked with a number of Premiership-based players, including Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Blackburn midfielder Steven N’Zonzi. 

Wenger fuelled the speculation by saying that if the Premier League’s big spenders opt to look abroad for new players, the English market may offer better value than usual.

“It is changing a little because the market will be lower. It looks to me like the big teams with big financial potential like Man City, like Chelsea might go abroad. So if they move abroad the internal market will be a bit cheaper. 

“The transfer window is not any more as it was 15 or 20 years ago. Everybody knows everybody now. It is more about shrewd buying now and taking a gamble than in discovering somebody.”