Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / ARSENAL
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

10:57 GMT, Friday, 29 August 2008 11:57 UK

Wenger 'can spend £30m on player'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has the financial resources available to spend £30m on a player if he so chooses, according to Arsenal director Danny Fizsman.

The Gunners have lost Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto since last season, but Wenger has so far recruited only Samir Nasri and Mikael Silvestre.

"If he said 'I want this guy and he's £30m, can I buy him?', the answer is yes. Absolutely yes," revealed Fizsman.

"It's not our decision who he spends money on, nor will it ever be ours."

"If Arsene found the right player he would buy him"
Arsenal director Danny Fizsman

Arsenal have not won a trophy for three seasons and there have been calls from supporters for Wenger to bolster his squad with some big-money signings.

The Gunners have brought in midfielder Nasri from Marseille for £12m and defender Mikael Silvestre from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee, thought to be under £1m.

But Fizsman added: "There were great expectations and hopes that we would buy heavily this summer.

"We totally back Wenger, it's his decision. If Arsene found the right player he would buy that player, but at the moment he hasn't."

And Fizsman admitted that if the Gunners were to buy established players before the transfer window shuts on 1 September, it could cause problems.

"There's a dual problem for him," said the Arsenal director of Wenger.

"If we buy star names, you are talking about relatively mature players who need to be integrated into the way Arsene plays - they don't know our style and it also impacts on the youngsters who have been brought through."

606: DEBATE
Should Wenger be spending money?

Wenger recently said in an interview that he wants to develop his first-team players through the youth ranks at the club.

The Frenchman said that he decided on this policy during the club's development of their Emirates Stadium, which opened at the start of the 2006-07 season.

"When we decided to build the stadium I wanted to anticipate the possibility of financial restrictions, so I concentrated on youth," Wenger said in an interview with the Independent newspaper.

"I also felt the best way to create an identity with the way we play football, to get players integrated into our culture, with our beliefs, our values, was to get them as young as possible and to develop them together.

"I felt it would be an interesting experiment to see players grow together with these qualities, and with a love for the club."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Arsenal sign Man Utd's Silvestre (20 Aug 08 |  Arsenal )
Wenger no closer to new signings (24 Aug 08 |  Arsenal )
Milan complete Senderos loan move (27 Aug 08 |  Arsenal )
Nasri completes move to Arsenal (11 Jul 08 |  Arsenal )
Gilberto moves to Panathinaikos (17 Jul 08 |  Arsenal )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Football on the BBC
Arsenal fans' views on 606
BBC London
Arsenal weather
BBC Sport Premier League
Arsenal
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©