Arsenal manager, Arsenal Wenger. PHOTO/File
LONDON, United Kingdom, Aug 10- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he won’t sanction a big-money signing just for the sake of it, after seeing his defensive options decimated by injuries.
The Gunners are facing a defensive crisis ahead of their Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday, with centre-backs Gabriel Paulista (ankle) joined Per Mertesacker (knee) currently on the treatment table.
While he admits that the loss of the experienced duo is a blow, he remains optimistic of finding a solution to the Gunners’ defensive woes in the near future.
However, Wenger was quick to point out that while he is seeking reinforcements, he is not necessarily going to bring in a big-name player on a massive transfer fee.
When asked if Paul Pogba’s world-record transfer to Manchester United had prompted him to reconsider his position, the Frenchman made it clear that he would stick to his principles.
“I am enough under pressure, you don’t need to give me more. I take a distance from all that,” he was quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.
“I just try to analyse in a rational way, what is the best decision for the team and the club.
“I know it’s more glamorous to buy a £50-60m player than to give a chance to a young player, but in my job you have to just look at the quality and not so much the numbers surrounding a transfer.
“Are we looking for defenders? Yes of course. We are looking to add because we have had a couple of unexpected injuries in Mertesacker and Gabriel. It is very frustrating.
“But sometimes you find a solution that you wouldn’t have done if you had no injuries.
“We are short on the experience front and at centre-back, having experience forms an important part.
“Laurent Koscielny came back very late from the Euros so we are in a difficult position for Sunday’s game against Liverpool.
“I won’t give any names of who we are looking to buy, but we are working on it. Until Sunday I have to work on a solution internally and an efficient solution as well.”
