Arsene Wenger has insisted he’s not afraid to spend to boost Arsenal’s title hopes after their unconvincing start to the Premier League campaign.
New £10.5 million signing Gervinho saw red in the lacklustre 0-0 stalemate at Newcastle, a bad-tempered affair which did little to dispel the gloom hanging over the London club after a troubled pre-season.
Wenger was subjected to taunts from frustrated Arsenal supporters urging the manager to invest in the squad.
The Gunners are set to receive around £60m from the imminent departure of key midfield pair Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.
And fans want the Frenchman, who is notoriously reticent to spend big, to buck the trend to ensure their side can mount a serious challenge for honours this season.
After seeing his 10-men hold out for the last 14 minutes to earn a point after Gervinho was ordered off for striking Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, Wenger insisted he could open the chequebook.
“I’m not against spending money if the players we buy improve our squad.
“We must find them and we’re looking very hard, believe me. We have a very big squad and if some players leave we’ll try to bring others in.
“We request top quality. We’re not scared to spend money, don’t worry, but we want to know what we’re getting for it. If you look at the quality of the players I’ve brought to the club you’ll see I’ve not done too badly.”
Wenger gave the latest on Arsenal’s two apparently imminent departures.
He said: “We are on both fronts in no man’s land.
“It can change quickly but at the moment they’re Arsenal players.”
Wenger refused to confirm talks were at an advanced stage for Nasri to join City, but he admitted there was a danger of Arsenal being seen as a ‘feeder’ club by selling their best players to their rivals.