Gunner Since Time Began - born to moan
01-28-2013, 09:29 PM
Gunning for goals: Arsene Wenger admits he wants a new striker this week
27 Jan 2013 00:30
David Villa, Stevan Jovetic and Adrian Lopez are on Arsenal manager's hitlist
Search: Wenger says number wise Arsenal are a bit short up front
Stu Forster
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he will try to sign a new striker before the transfer window shuts.
Wenger is set to make another check on whether Barcelona will let David Villa leave and is also interested in Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic. Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez is a long-term target.
Despite seeing Olivier Giroud and substitute Theo Walcott on target in the FA Cup victory over Brighton, Wenger confirmed he is hunting for another striker.
Asked if he needs to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes on Thursday night, Wenger said: “Quality-wise, no. But number-wise we are maybe a bit short.
“It will not be easy, though, because you do not find strikers who are good enough to play for us on the street.”
Wenger is also on the lookout for a new midfielder with West Ham’s Mohamed Diame, who is also being chased by Tottenham and QPR, and Wigan’s James McCarthy both high on his list.
Diame’s 75,000-a-week wage demands could provide an obstacle, despite his 3.5million buy-out clause.
“I cannot promise we will sign anybody today, tomorrow, Tuesday or on Wednesday because at the moment we are not close to anything,” added Wenger. “It is not about optimism. How realistic I am is most important.”
Giroud now has 13 goals and nine assists for Arsenal, having followed up his brace against West Ham with another double against Brighton.
“It has been a good week for Giroud’s confidence,” said Wenger. “He gives us presence in the box and is always dangerous.
“We had a slow start against Brighton, but we were much better in the second half and created a lot of good chances.
“In the FA Cup, you need to go through to the next round so we did our job.”
27 Jan 2013 00:30
David Villa, Stevan Jovetic and Adrian Lopez are on Arsenal manager's hitlist
Search: Wenger says number wise Arsenal are a bit short up front
Stu Forster
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he will try to sign a new striker before the transfer window shuts.
Wenger is set to make another check on whether Barcelona will let David Villa leave and is also interested in Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic. Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez is a long-term target.
Despite seeing Olivier Giroud and substitute Theo Walcott on target in the FA Cup victory over Brighton, Wenger confirmed he is hunting for another striker.
Asked if he needs to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes on Thursday night, Wenger said: “Quality-wise, no. But number-wise we are maybe a bit short.
“It will not be easy, though, because you do not find strikers who are good enough to play for us on the street.”
Wenger is also on the lookout for a new midfielder with West Ham’s Mohamed Diame, who is also being chased by Tottenham and QPR, and Wigan’s James McCarthy both high on his list.
Diame’s 75,000-a-week wage demands could provide an obstacle, despite his 3.5million buy-out clause.
“I cannot promise we will sign anybody today, tomorrow, Tuesday or on Wednesday because at the moment we are not close to anything,” added Wenger. “It is not about optimism. How realistic I am is most important.”
Giroud now has 13 goals and nine assists for Arsenal, having followed up his brace against West Ham with another double against Brighton.
“It has been a good week for Giroud’s confidence,” said Wenger. “He gives us presence in the box and is always dangerous.
“We had a slow start against Brighton, but we were much better in the second half and created a lot of good chances.
“In the FA Cup, you need to go through to the next round so we did our job.”