I will freshen squad, insists Arsenal boss Wenger
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Wenger U-turn: I will freshen squad, insists Arsenal boss as title slips away
Exit? Niklas Bendtner could head a summer clear-out at Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has admitted for the first time that he needs to make changes at Arsenal — on the day Sir Alex Ferguson insisted the greatest title threat now comes from Chelsea.
Manchester United manager Ferguson says Chelsea are ‘a better, stronger team’ with an easier run-in as Wenger looks to overhaul his squad in the summer. Sportsmail exclusively revealed this month that Arsenal will look to raise cash for new players by selling their dead wood.
And Wenger said: ‘The club is in a healthy financial situation and, if needed, we can make a big transfer. In our world everybody is bankrupt — but the guy who doesn’t spend is an idiot.
‘Our target was to build a new stadium without dropping from the top and we knew it would be a difficult period for four or five years. So we had to make a decision on how to stay at the top with less money available.
‘We did well. But now, of course, people become impatient. I can understand that completely because I am impatient as well. If you look at our season you cannot come to the conclusion we need a massive change. That would be completely stupid.
‘If you are the second-best selling newspaper in the country you do not shut your office. But we live in a world where if you are the second best by a little, everybody says you are rubbish. It is not true.
Time's up: Denilson (front) looks to be on his way out of Arsenal
‘Do I think it will be a busy summer? I feel there is always a need to improve the team.’
The pressure of what looks like a sixth straight season without a trophy seemed to be affecting Wenger on Wednesday as he watched his side lose a 3-1 lead against Spurs.
His touchline antics have been described as ‘tortured’ by observers, including Sportsmail’s Graham Poll.
But Wenger insisted: ‘I cannot sit there and be placid like I am on dope!
‘I care about the game and I’m motivated to win the game and agitated, yes. But it is one thing to be agitated and in control of your decisions and be lucid, or be completely out of control.’
Target? Everton's Leighton Baines could be on Arsenal's radar in the summer
Adding experienced names to his squad, such as summer targets Leighton Baines and Per Mertesacker, should help the undoubted potential at Arsenal meld into a more rounded unit that can win some silverware.
United manager Ferguson agrees Arsenal need a few more old heads among their exciting young prospects. He added: ‘I said more than a few weeks ago that Chelsea would be our main challengers. Now they are above Arsenal. I recognise that both are six points behind us, both are our challengers.
‘But I have that slight preference for Chelsea because their fixture list is a wee bit easier. Looking at the two of them, Chelsea are far more experienced than Arsenal. Arsenal have the better footballers but Chelsea are the better, stronger team.’
Denilson will be one of the first to leave after the Gunners put a £5million price on the midfielder.
Sportsmail understands the Brazilian has accepted his five-year career at The Emirates is over and has already started looking for a new club, while the likes of Emmanuel Eboue, Gael Clichy and Nicklas Bendtner could follow.
The prospect of a summer shake-up will appease a growing section of Arsenal fans who have become disillusioned with Wenger.
However, the Arsenal boss warned: ‘We decided to develop our own players because we can’t buy Cristiano Ronaldo — he cost £85million and we can’t do it.’
But Wenger claims he does not even know how much he will have available to spend in the summer, despite reports new owner Stan Kroenke will hand over a £40million war chest.
The boss added: "Is it available? Frankly I don't know.
"The only thing I can say is that the club is in a healthy financial situation and if needed to we can make a big transfer."