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Wenger in market for powerful centre-half
Independent, The (London), May 8, 2008 by Jason Burt
Arsne Wenger has admitted that he needs to make two top-class signings this summer - with a powerful central defender and a "creative player" his priorities.
Speaking at a question-and-answer session for the club's shareholders, the Arsenal manger conceded that his team had been undone this season when they faced Manchester United and Chelsea by a lack of strength in defence, especially when faced with "long balls".
Wenger appears to have finally lost faith with Philippe Senderos's prospects of becoming a commanding central defender, while if Arsenal are searching for another centre-half it would also put in doubt Kolo Toure's place in the team.
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At the shareholders' event, held at the Emirates Stadium on Monday evening, Wenger received a more uncomfortable reception than in the past, with questions raised over several members of his squad and also the way the club's season fell apart in a few short weeks.
It will not help the mood of Arsenal supporters that it has now emerged that Wenger did indeed attempt to sign Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window only to find that the central defender was already in advanced negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur.
There have been strong hints that Arsenal are interested in the 22-year-old Valencia defender Raul Albiol, although the Spain international may cost far more than the fee which has so far been mooted, 10m. Also far in excess of that figure would be a move for Micah Richards, who has become unsettled at Manchester City over the imminent sacking of manager Sven Goran Eriksson and the decision of club captain - and friend - Richard Dunne to leave this summer. Richards, an Arsenal fan, only signed a new contract at City earlier this year. His unhappiness is also being monitored by Manchester United, although it is unlikely that City will sell their prize asset.
In front of the shareholders, Wenger lamented the departure of Mathieu Flamini to Milan on a free transfer - he will officially sign for the Italian club on 1 July, the day after his contract expires - and said he was "disappointed" with the 24-year-old midfielder's actions. Flamini will be paid 4m (3.25m) a year, after tax, which is far more than he was offered to stay at Arsenal because he is a free agent.
Nevertheless, Wenger also admitted that Arsenal had not handled negotiations with Flamini very well, especially as he was allowed to run his contract down into its final year and leave without a transfer fee being paid. "It is a problem [the salaries] but we did not master this situation with Flamini," Wenger said. "I must say I am disappointed that he did that but legally he can do it. When a player is out of contract he can sign where he wants."
The manager also reiterated his desire to retain Alexander Hleb who has two years left on his contract but has been offered a lucrative deal by Internazionale and has indicated that he, too, wants to move to Italy. The Belarusian's representatives have signalled that they may try to use the so-called Webster clause in Fifa's rules, which would effectively allow him to buy out the final years of his contract, but Wenger does not believe that will happen.
"What people say about the buy-out clause, it is not as simple as it looks," Wenger said. "It is much more difficult and the [buying] clubs are reluctant to do that.
"We want to keep Hleb, we want him to be part of our team next year. It is as simple as that. We have lost one player, we do not want to lose more."
If Hleb does go, as appears likely, the attention would switch to Cesc Fabregas. Although he seems set to stay, the Spanish midfielder will undoubtedly want to see evidence of Arsenal's ambition.
There was, however, good news for Arsenal yesterday with Emmanuel Adebayor reiterating his intention not to leave. "I am at the right team at the right moment playing some good football and scoring goals, so of course I am happy," he said.
Wenger also launched an impassioned plea for his squad to stick together. "We were close this year but we did not win and what I expect from my team is that, if you are a winner, you say 'let's come back next year and win'," he said. "If our players are not capable of doing that and just want to walk out for bigger contracts, for me that would be the biggest disappointment.
"If you are a winner you say 'you beat me now in a game but give me a chance to come back and beat you'. That's what I expect of a team. If they cannot do that then it means I was wrong completely in my whole judgement of this team. That would be the biggest disappointment for the club - not only to not win this year but to not be capable of coming back together."
Do they fit the bill, Arsne? Two players who may interest Arsenal
THE BIG DEFENDER
At 19, Micah Richards is one of the best young players in the Premier League and an Arsenal fan. He has also recently signed a long-term contract at Manchester Cityn
THE CREATIVE PLAYER
Portsmouth's Croatian Niko Kranjcar would seem to be Wenger's type of player: skilful, clever, mobile and, at 23, with his best years still in front of him getty images
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