Arsene Wenger rules out Arsenal move for Chelsea captain John Terry
Arsene Wenger believes John Terry remains a great player but has ruled out making a shock move for the Chelsea captain.
The 36-year-old revealed on Sunday that he expects to leave the Blues in the summer having been told he will not be offered a new contract at the club.
Terry has been at Stamford Bridge since the age of 14 and has won no fewer than 16 major honours with Chelsea. The west London club issued their own statement on Sunday night in which they said a contract extension could yet be offered.
Wenger spoke warmly about the former England captain but said he would not follow up the signing of goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea by going after Terry.
The Chelsea skipper has also said that he would not consider joining another English club, with the United States or China more likely destinations.
Asked if he had any interest in signing Terry, Wenger said: "No, because he is at the end of his career and he has spent his career at Chelsea. If he wants to play longer, I am sure he will play for Chelsea.
"Loyalty works two ways. I always consider that I'm paid for my commitment to the club and I'm well paid so once it is over the club owes me nothing and I have to get on with my life and find another way.
"I do not expect a reward because it is part of my contract."
While Terry's surprise announcement was not a plea to be snapped up in the closing hours of the transfer window, it has been one of the biggest stories in what has been a quiet January in terms of signings.
The Gunners' signing of midfielder Mohamed Elneny from Basle has proved to be one of the most eye-catching transfers of a quiet month. Most of the deals have been concluded by those teams looking to secure their top-flight status, with Newcastle, Norwich and Bournemouth among the biggest spenders.
Wenger said at the start of January that he was expecting plenty of money to be spent but there has been a lack of major deals.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of Tuesday's match at home to Southampton, the Frenchman said: "The whole period was much quieter than I expected. I thought there would be much more activity but finally it has been quite and the fact we are all here means it is still quiet."
The Gunners will be without midfielder Tomas Rosicky for the clash with the Saints.
The experienced Czech Republic international only returned from a knee problem ahead of Saturday's FA Cup victory over Burnley but suffered a thigh problem during the game and will again spend a spell on the sidelines.
Alexis Sanchez is pushing for his first start since a hamstring issue in November while Elneny is still waiting for his Premier League debut having made his bow in the cup win.
Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla (all knee) and Jack Wilshere (leg) are out.
Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman is content at the business that has been done by Southampton.
Charlie Austin arrived at the club from QPR, and Koeman said: "We did our business and it is no disappointment because we spoke about the January transfer window, (the need) to have a striker in. I think it was fantastic business to bring Charlie in and keep the rest of the squad and that is good.
"He did a lot of work at the time when he was injured with his hamstring and he is on a very good physical level and he shows his qualities, not by the goal which he scored against United but also in the training sessions, and I am very happy with the form he is in."
Southampton did not play at the weekend after being knocked out of the FA Cup by fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace earlier in January and Koeman found it unusual.
He said: "It is a little bit strange not playing at the weekend, we had some days off but we had normal training sessions Saturday and Sunday to be prepared for Arsenal.
"We are looking forward to the big game.
"They know it is difficult to beat Southampton and we have a good record against the big teams and we want to keep that."
He added: "They have the pressure always to win, like Man City, like Man United, like all the big teams.
"They know that they have that kind of pressure and they can deal with that.
"They have great players, (Alexis) Sanchez is back and that is a big player who could be very important for the last games of the season."
Graziano Pelle (knee) and Steven Davis (knock) remain doubtful while Rodriguez (ankle) and Florin Gardos (knee) are unavailable.
Source: PAR
