Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed the transfer plans of Arsenal in January.
The Frenchman believes that the club is not in any need of reinforcements due to the number of players returning from injury.
This response by Wenger has probably been inspired by Danny Welbeck’s participation in a full training session today after a long-term injury.
The £16 million signing from Manchester United has been widely appreciated by supporters at the Emirates for his hard-working performances in an Arsenal shirt, with one moment that comes to mind for fans when praising the England forward is his injury time winner against Leicester last season.
Injuries have, however, taken their toll on the 26-year-old, but his return to fitness, coupled with the return of Aaron Ramsey, has seemingly told Wenger that no new acquisitions will be needed.
“We have Perez, we have Giroud, we have [Alexis] Sanchez, we have Welbeck suddenly up front. And Walcott, [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain who is nearly a striker,” Wenger said. “So we have plenty of options offensively. Defensively we are not in need at the moment.”
Wenger is wary of the time that both players will need before integrating them both into his first-team selection plans.
“I am cautious with Ramsey but even more with Welbeck, because we need some time. Today it’s his first team training, of course, it’s fantastic because for him it’s like starting a new career because he has been out for such a long time. But I am a little cautious with the little setbacks you have when you have been out for a long, long time. You have to be patient.”
It is evident that Arsenal’s rivals will be strengthening their teams – Manchester United are close to completing a deal for Benfica defender and Sweden international Victor Lindelof, whilst Chelsea will be looking to reinvest the £60 million accrued from the sale of Oscar to Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua.
And Wenger believes that the Chinese Super League could prove to be a threat to England’s top flight.
“It’s a surprise to me [Oscar’s move], but when I was in Japan, we had many Brazilian players. At the moment I think Oscar moves because he doesn’t play in the Premier League. China gives him that opportunity as well,..they invest a lot of money at the moment.
“Will it be a future problem for the Premier League? It could become [one].”