Arsene Wenger. (Reuters)
Wenger hits back against criticism of his transfer policy. (Reuters) Reuters

Arsene Wenger has defended his club's pursuit of Yohan Cabaye after Arsenal's bid for the Newcastle United midfielder drew criticism from Alan Pardew.

The Gunners made an official bid for the France international on Monday afternoon thought to be in the region of £10m, hours before Newcastle were to kick off their first game of the season against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

That game ended in a 4-0 hammering in favour of Manuel Pellegrini's side with Pardew claiming he was forced to withdraw Cabaye from his side after Arsenal's unannounced offer unsettled the midfielder.

The Arsenal manager's transfer policy has constantly come under criticism this summer having only managed to secure the services of 20-year-old Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer in a transfer window where much more was promised.

But the Frenchman has rejected claims his club have acted disrespectfully in their pursuit of Cabaye, insisting the club will continue to do business in a manner that has proven to be successful during his tenure at the club.

"There is nothing to explain," Wenger told a press conference, Sky Sports report. "First of all, you don't know what we have done, you don't know if we bid and you have come to a conclusion without knowing everything that has happened.

"It's quite amazing that all of the people don't know and yet they always have opinions about things they don't know.

"I won't explain to you what happened. It is not down to me to explain to you everything I do. It is impossible.

"If we do a transfer, we will announce it. We always inform you. As for the rest, you have to leave us to do our own things.

"We don't want to hurt anybody, not Newcastle, not anybody. You can't reproach us on one side for not buying and yet on the other side when we try to buy to reproach us as well. That is a bit contradictory.

"I would just like to reiterate to you that in the last 16 years we have been very successful with transfers - if you look at the players who play tomorrow, they are top quality players and you should never forget that."

While Wenger continues to try and make additions to his squad with just under two weeks until the closure of the transfer window, the manager must also ensure his club qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, or risk coming under even greater pressure from frustrated fans.

The Gunners have travelled to Turkey ahead of Wednesday evening's first leg clash against Fenerbahce, having been struck a further blow with the news that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be ruled out for three months after suffering a knee injury.

But despite last Saturday's 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa, Wenger is confident is side can progress.

"You just want to prepare as well as you can and bounce back very quickly from Saturday with a good performance which is what I think we will do," Wenger added.

"Everywhere we go we try to win the game and that is the attitude we have. Again, we will try to play our game as we do everywhere.

"We have been everywhere in Europe in all the big stages and seen heated atmospheres, but we always try to play."