Arsene Wenger Bemoans Toughest Transfer Window

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says the competitiveness of the transfer market and the quality of his current squad has made this summer the hardest of his managerial career.

While the Gunners have made just one addition in the form of Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Auxerre, Europe has watched in awe as Paris Saint Germain, Monaco and Manchester City have led the spending this summer, while Real Madrid appear set to pay a world record fee for Gareth Bale.

Despite a host of summer of departures and early season injuries wreaking the Arsenal squad, Wenger has maintained he will not compromise on quality despite admitting to being short of playing resources.

"It is more difficult (the transfer window) for two reasons," Wenger said ahead of the Champions League play-off second leg against Fenerbahce.

"One I have quality players, and the competition for players is absolutely massive. Before we were privileged and a bit more lonely and now everybody knows everybody.

"It's true when I arrived in England, English clubs don't go on the international market as they do now. Because of the television money that English get from 10 or 15 years ago is massive.

"The right additions, that's what I work on," he added. "It's not just about additions. If you look at the players, you look at Rosicky, you look at Cazorla you see Wilshere you see Ramsey at the moment it is hard to find better players.

"We need a player that is versatile, that can play in different positions because at the moment we are a bit short.

"We have Sagna who is an outstanding centre-back, and can play two positions. On the left side we have two good full-backs. If we find an experienced player at the back we are not against it. But it is not easy."

Wenger has failed to sign the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Wayne Rooney this summer, a sign of Arsenal's domestic and European fortunes which hasn't seen them win a major trophy since 2005.

A third successive win in the opening weeks of the season however against Fenerbahce at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday would deliver Champions League football for a 16<sup>th consecutive season.

But the Arsenal boss doesn't think even that boost will help in luring players to north London in the last week of the window.

"For one or two players maybe but overall I don't think so," he said.