Arsene Wenger: Arsenal willing to spend in response to striker shortage

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his transfer plans could be influenced by the severity of the injury sustained by striker Nicklas Bendtner during the Gunners New Year’s Day win over Cardiff. Bendtner picked up an injury whilst scoring Arsenal’s opener and, with fellow forward Olivier Giroud also injured, leaves Arsenal short on cover in forward areas.

The Gunners have been linked with Fulham forward Dimitar Berbatov and, whilst denying that talks had taken place over the Bulgarian, Wenger admitted to reporters that he may dip into the market for a striker if Bendtner faces a spell on the sidelines, reports the Evening Standard.

“It is frustrating [that Bendtner is injured] but you have to live with that,” said Wenger.

“It is even more disappointing for him because he went through a tough time and he continued and was persistent in his attitude and just returned to his real level. To be out straight away, I hope it will not be for a long time.”

“Does it change my thoughts on the transfer window? It depends how long he will be out for.”

Wenger refused to discuss a move for Berbatov, insisting that he had yet to speak to any potential targets.

“I don’t want to go into any speculation on any specific name because that would not help where the player plays at the moment and would be disrespectful to the player’s club. At the moment we are just considering our options,” he said.

“He [Berbatov] is not a name that we have considered at the moment. We have not even been out on the transfer market, we have not contacted anybody. We are just analysing the situation, being very cautious until we are well informed about Bendtner and [Yaya] Sanogo as well, because he is back in training now. We will make a decision after that.”

Arsenal face Tottenham in the FA Cup this weekend. In the wake of comments by Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert suggesting that the cup is an inconvenience, Wenger defended the world’s oldest cup competition.

“We have not won trophies for a long time, it’s an opportunity that we want to take,” he said.

“We can give absolutely everything in this game. I had the luck to win four FA Cups and I’m keen for us to win it again.

“The FA Cup has a special meaning for everyone, it is a big competition and everyone wants to win it.”