KEY POINTS

  • The Gunners boss addressed the media after his side booked a place in the Carabao Cup final.
  • Wenger was also coy about the potential arrival of Jonny Evans from West Bromwich Albion.

Arsene Wenger is prepared to "focus" on his current players if Arsenal fail to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund this month after pointing out that his squad is already "strong enough" even without the Gabon striker.

Earlier this week, Arsenal brought in Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Manchester United as part of the swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez move in the opposite direction.

Aubameyang has since been tipped to follow Mkhitaryan to London after being identified as Wenger's main target to fill the gap left by the departure of Sanchez.

It has been said that Arsenal may need to pay in excess of £50m to sign the Gabon international, with Dortmund having already turned down an offer worth £43.64m from the London club.

But Wenger seemed to be unconcerned about those reports after his side beat Chelsea 2-1 on Wednesday night, 24 January, in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to book a place in the final.

When asked about the pursuit of Aubameyang following the game, Wenger said, "The best is I don't talk about that because it wouldn't help.

"I think if something happens, it happens. If it doesn't happen, then we are strong enough to focus on the players we have and focus on the job with the players we have. I am perfectly happy with the players I have. We got Mkhitaryan in and I have a strong squad."

Meanwhile, The Telegraph reported that Arsenal are in negotiations with West Bromwich Albion to secure the services of Jonny Evans in a deal worth around £20m.

But Wenger was also coy when asked about the potential arrival of the centre-back.

"Look, if we sign somebody, we will tell you very quickly, but at the moment, we are open to strengthen the team and the squad, but we are not close to signing anybody," the Arsenal boss said.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is said to have already agreed personal terms with Arsenal Getty