• Premier League

Wenger targeting quality in the summer

ESPN staff
March 24, 2012
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain has been a success story for Arsenal © PA Photos
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he is prepared to gamble in the summer transfer window if he can identify a top-class prospect.

The Gunners chief has often frustrated fans with his failure to spend big despite having money made available to him by the Arsenal board.

The likes of Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and most notably Cesc Fabregas departed last summer without being truly replaced - as the Gunners' notable signings were Gervinho, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker.

Oxlade Chamberlain looks like developing into a top-class player, but there are calls for Wenger to bring in established talents. The Frenchman is unlikely to stray too far from his trusted policy, but he is prepared to spend if necessary.

"We will not be a lot on the market, quantity-wise I mean. Quality-wise, certainly," Wenger said. "But the [maximum] number of the squad is 25. We have many players out on loan and we will take a gamble if we find top, top quality of course.

"But don't forget we have many players out on loan and we have not had Jack Wilshere or Abou Diaby for the whole season.

"These players will be back and it means that number and quality-wise we are strong because we are in the position we are in without these players."

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