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Wenger dodges Lampard bid talk

Frank Lampard is on the comeback trail from injury © PA Photos

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Arsene Wenger has evaded talk of a move for Chelsea's Frank Lamaprd, but reiterated Arsenal may be active in the January transfer window.

Arsenal are in the midst of a torrid run of form and a home defeat to Swansea has seen them slump to 10th in the Premier League. The Emirates crowd were vocal in their criticism of the display on Saturday and calls have been made for new faces to be brought in.

Wenger has been linked with a host of players and Lampard's name has cropped up in recent days. The Gunners boss has declined to comment directly on players, and that was again the case with Lamaprd, but the transfer market is in his thoughts.

"We are today at December 3. Until January 1 we have many big games," Wenger said ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Olympiakos. "What happens in January we'll see. At the moment our focus is on a period of competition. If we need to do something in January we'll do it.

"We have many challenges before then and when the transfer market opens we'll see what we do - if we do anything. We are in the country of Socrates - that's a bit like football."

Wenger also claimed the club are 'in fantastic shape', despite riding a tide of protest against his faltering team, and believes the protests of the Arsenal fans are not affecting his players.

"It's not affecting the players," he told the club's official website. "I believe intelligence in life is to focus on what's important, and what is important is the way we play football. The rest, you deal with it.

"Let's not forget that when people have to say something, it's important that they can do it and we are very open to that. But as well, they do not always necessarily represent the majority. This club is in fantastic shape. We have a good team, we have a strong structure of the club that we have built over the years, we are in a strong financial situation and we are mentally strong.

"I can understand that not everybody is pleased about that, but that is a fact. That's why we have to continue to behave like we do."

Thierry Henry has been training with Arsenal, but Wenger claims there has been no movement with regard to a loan deal.

"There is no development at all," he said. "I just didn't want to say no because if I say no when I'm asked the question, I can never do it. At the moment, that's not envisaged at all."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.