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Wenger: I'm not scared to spend money in January

The Frenchman acquired a series of high-profile players last summer, including Alexis Sanchez, and he says he is ready to splash the cash once more at the turn of the year.

ARSENAL MANAGER Arsene Wenger insists he is “not scared” of spending money in the transfer market and hinted that new players could arrive in January.

The Gunners paid over £30 million (€40m) for Alexis Sanchez in the summer and around £45m (€60m) for Calum Chambers, Mathieu Debuchy and Danny Welbeck, but the squad has struggled with injuries so far this season and sit in seventh in the Premier League heading into Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.

Wenger was criticised for not buying central defenders or defensive midfielders during the close season and has earned a repuation as a reluctant spender over the years, something he puts down to the financial constraints of moving to the Emirates Stadium.

But after having to field a makeshift defence in recent weeks thanks to mounting injuries at the back, he confirmed that he will “without any doubt” move for a defender in January if he can find the right man.

“There is a huge difference between the perception that people have of me and the reality: I’m not scared to spend money,” he told reporters. “If you go out with me one night, you will understand that.

“What I don’t like is to spend money that I don’t have. Now I have money so no problem spending it at all.

“What I fought against was spending money that would have put the future of the club in danger.”

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    Mute Steve Smith
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    Dec 16th 2014, 7:03 PM

    If he played for the other team, as in the one not allegedly paid to lose, why is he being named?

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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Dec 16th 2014, 7:12 PM

    All players and staff were,it’s the top brass supposedly told their players to throw the game. Heard one quote from a player saying he’d do whatever the club asked him to do. Herrera and his team mates should be fine.

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    Mute Jerry Higgins
    Favourite Jerry Higgins
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    Dec 16th 2014, 8:31 PM

    I think it is something along the lines of Zaragoza giving their players money who in turn passed it on to the Levante players. Seems an over-complicated way of doing it but apparently the financial records show it happening like that.

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    Mute Steve Smith
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    Dec 16th 2014, 8:35 PM

    Sure hope so!

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    Mute Conor Flynn
    Favourite Conor Flynn
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    Dec 17th 2014, 12:25 PM

    That was the Atletico captain Gabi I believe.

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