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Wenger offers hope of signings

18/10/2005

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has suggested that he could delve into the transfer market when it reopens in January.

The Gunners coach has been criticised by some for not strengthening his team in the summer and the Frenchman himself has admitted that he was perhaps wrong to let skipper Patrick Vieira leave for Juventus without having a suitable replacement lined up.

But as his team prepare to take on Sparta Prague in the Champions League, Wenger has given the club a boost by suggesting "super" players could be drafted in for the season's second half.

"It depends what is on the market. We will try to have a look," said Wenger, whose only major signing of the summer was Alexander Hleb from Stuttgart.

"We don't need to buy for the numbers but if super quality comes up then yes. If not, then no."

Big-name arrivals at Highbury could be just what the north London club need after enduring a disappointing start to the Premiership season that has seen them sink to eighth position in the league with three defeats in their opening eight games.

Last weekend's loss to West Brom represented a major blow to Arsenal and Wenger which prompted the coach to make the unusually frank admission of his error in the transfer of Vieira.

"Yes, I have thought about [Vieira's departure]," Wenger admitted.

"When you don't win games people say you made a mistake and you have to accept that. But I don't think it was a big mistake."

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