
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he is looking to bring in reinforcements in January but does not know if the cash will be available.
The Gunners scraped a 1-0 win against Portsmouth on Sunday to keep their faint title hopes alive.
However, they trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by 10 points and Wenger knows they have to do better in the new year - a tough ask with long-term injuries ruling out Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott.
"I want a creative midfielder," he told Canal+. "That is to say a second midfielder, because my team is right in terms of manpower and experience.
"I can't spend money I don't have. The [global financial] crisis is upon us and we feel it at the club."
One player Arsenal have been linked with is Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin.
However, Wenger refused to confirm he is chasing the Russia forward.
"There's no point in giving me names," he added.
teamtalk
Get Xabi Alonso, I think he'll be good for Arsenal.
liverpool wont sell alonso to arsenal for anything lesser than 18m. doubt wenger willing to meet rafa's demand. but, for Arshavin, it will be likely that a deal will take place.
Arsene Wenger has admitted that he would like to bring in reinforcements in the January transfer window to bolster his Arsenal side's faltering title challenge but does not know the club will make the necessary cash available.
Empics
Arsene Wenger: Wants reinforcements
A late goal from William Gallas scraped a 1-0 win for the Gunners against Portsmouth on Sunday to keep their faint title hopes alive, however they still trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by 10 points.
Wenger knows his side must improve in the second half of the season but is hamstrung by long-term injuries which rule out Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott.
''I want a creative midfielder,'' he told Canal+. ''That is to say a second midfielder, because my team is right in terms of manpower and experience.
''[But] I can't spend money I don't have. The [global financial] crisis is upon us and we feel it at the club.''
One player Arsenal have been linked with is Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin. However, Wenger refused to confirm he is chasing the Russia forward. ''There's no point in giving me names,'' he added.
Meanwhile, Wenger wants his controversial former captain Gallas to carry on scoring in the Arsenal cause.
Gallas, who was stripped of the captaincy after several flashpoints during his tenure, scored the late header that secured all three points for Arsenal in the win over Pompey.
There were rumours Wenger would try to offload Gallas but Wenger has insisted he does not want to sell any players in the January transfer window, which opens on Thursday.
Wenger said: ''He answers everybody by his performance on the pitch and that's what you do when you are a great player. He started as a striker and looks most likely to score at set-pieces. He has good timing to attack the ball.''
the owners are saying they have funds available, AW say he is nto sure funds available or not.
dont know who is saying the truth.
arsenal just bid bye bye to title la!
if no reinforcements, not just bye bye to title, its bye bye to top 4 finish also.