Wenger vows to strengthen ‘light’ Arsenal
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has promised to splash the cash on a new arrival by the end of the month after resigning himself to losing another of his young Guns.
Wenger was without no fewer than nine of his first team stars for the hard-fought 2-0 Champions League win against FC Twente on Wednesday night and will be light on numbers again on Saturday when West Brom visit the Emirates Stadium for the opening Premier League fixture.
Now, the Gunners boss is also set to lose full-back Justin Hoyte after Arsenal agreed a fee with Middlesbrough for the former England Under-21 international.
Wenger is hopeful new £12m signing Samir Nasri will have recovered from his knee and thigh complaint to face the Baggies, but with Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Amaury Bischoff all out injured, the boss accepts the squad remain “one body light” in midfield and has vowed to bring in another fresh face by the end of the August transfer window.
Barcelona’s Yaya Toure – brother of Arsenal defender Kolo – is reportedly top of the list, although Udinese’s Swiss international Gokhan Inler and Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso are also being touted as possible targets.
“Will something be done ahead of the second leg? Certainly yes, but before Saturday, no,” Wenger said.
“The game on Saturday morning comes very quickly, but in fairness I am not in a position where I can make many changes at the moment.”