Wenger Refuses to Rule Out More Big Name Signings in January

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reiterated his desire to build the team around young home-grown players but has admitted that he may well look to sign another big name like Mesut Ozil if he feels it is needed.

The Gunners currently find themselves top of the league after seven games and the impact of Ozil has been clear for all to see. The former Real Madrid midfielder has excelled in the heart of midfield and has helped bring the best out of the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.

Wenger had seemingly been wary of spending huge amounts on players but admitted that previously the funds simply had not been available.

"It's a big responsibility to spend that amount of money. But I feel comfortable with it because we had the money to do it. Before we couldn't have done it because we didn't have the money available. It's as simple as that," Wenger told the official Arsenal website.

The long serving Arsenal boss also made it clear that he still wanted to build a side around players who have either emerged from the academy or been at the club from a young age.

"The policy is exactly the same - I always want to bring the best players in here, world-class players, at the best possible price. And I want to continue to educate 60 to 80 per cent of the squad ourselves," he explained.

"The culture of the club, the way we want to play football and the way we want to behave, comes from within. The Wilsheres, the Ramseys, the Gibbs - these kind of players have to be the culture of the club. Then on top of that we want to bring world-class players who will help us to be even stronger."

Wenger was then quizzed on whether the fans should expect more signings in the ilk of Ozil who smashed the club record when he was signed for £42.5m from Real Madrid.

Wenger added: "If they are needed, then yes. If it's just for marketing reasons, then no. But for football reasons, why not."

Arsenal supporters are hopeful that this season can bring an end to their barren run without a trophy which stretches back to 2005 when they won the FA Cup. They have made a strong start to the campaign both domestically and in Europe after winning their opening two Champions League games.

However, there is a feeling that the squad may be short of depth, especially in forward positions, and Wenger has admitted that he may look to bring in reinforcements in January.

"I don't rule it out," he declared. "I don't rule it out at all, but saying that I don't want to encourage more speculation. We have just come out of a transfer market that has been very agitated, so let's not go into the next one today! I just want to focus on football now.