Transfer funds available to Wenger

• limpper

  7 May 09, 17:23

  

   

  Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists there is money available to manager Arsene Wenger to spend this summer.

  Wenger had recent claimed that financial constraints have forced him to rely on young players this time around, but Hill-Wood responded: "That is not strictly correct.

  "We have never denied Arsène any transfer requests. We spent a lot of money on Andrey Arshavin [£15m] at the beginning of the year and the money is there in the summer, if he wants it. I'm not going to say how much though, because that would not be helpful to us."

  Asked if there would be enough money form Wenger to sign a star player in the summer, Hill-Wood replied, "Absolutely".

• limpper

  7 May 09, 17:26

  Wenger ready to spend big on three signings.

   

  Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is prepared to spend in this summer's market to bridge the gap with Europe's best teams.

  The Sun says billionaire shareholder Stan Kroenke has promised Wenger the financial backing to go out and sign the established international players Arsenal are crying out for.

  Frustrated directors almost had to prise the £15million out of Wenger’s grip to sign Andrey Arshavin in the final minutes of the January transfer window.

  But the success of the Russian superstar has convinced the manager that he CAN find a quick fix in the transfer market this summer.

  Top of Wenger’s priority list is at least one strong, quick and experienced centre-half to replace William Gallas and, perhaps, Kolo Toure. He also wants a talismanic centre-forward to rival the likes of Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney.

  Then there is a powerful ball-winner to give muscular protection to midfield lightweights Arshavin, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott.

  None of this will come cheaply but Wenger knows the alternative is the risk of falling even further behind United, Chelsea and Liverpool next season.