Don't expect big transfers for 20 years, says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

02 October 2010 18:55
Arsene Wenger has warned that Arsenal's frugal approach in the transfer market could last another 20 years. [LNB]The manager has repeatedly had to defend the club's cost-consciousapproach while the trophy cabinet remains bare and has now said thereis no way out in the foreseeable future. [LNB] Crossroads: Debt goes one way, wages will go the other, says Arsene Wenger[LNB]Arsenal's move to Emirates Stadium has saddled them with a debt of £239 million and annual payments of £20m on a 'mortgage' which is not due to be paid off until 2031. [LNB]They are generating profits in other parts of the club's business but the problem is stretching an annual wage bill which had already reached £110.7m by the end of last season. [LNB]'Yes, the wage bill approach will stay the same until the stadium is paid off,' said Wenger. 'But when it is we can go a bit higher. We can never be dominant in the transfer market because it is never just the money you spend to buy players, it is the wages as well.' [LNB]They made £56m overall in the year to May and have cleared all debts unrelated to the stadium, but profits from the football operation are expected to drop. [LNB]So free signings, such as Marouane Chamakh, and the focus on youth are here to stay. [LNB]Wenger believes they will take what would be a 'significant' step forward by winning at Chelsea today and has urged his players to forget their neighbours' acknowledged superiority. [LNB]'I don't believe in history,' said Wenger, aware Arsenal have beaten Chelsea just twice in their last 15 meetings. [LNB]Wenger has just served a touchline ban but claims he was just unlucky to be caught. [LNB]'In the 14 years I have been here and walked up and down the corridors I have seen people who have lost it much more than that.[LNB] 'It depends if you are caught on camera or not.' [LNB]So was Harry Redknapp right when he said the studious Arsenal boss has been driven nuts by life in the Premier League? [LNB]'Frankly, no,' said Wenger. 'I was already passionately crazy about football and that has not changed. All managers are mad.'[LNB] That's rich! Wenger claims winning is all so easy for mega-rich rivals ChelseaDidier Drogba: Arsenal's nemesis goes back to his roots in north-west ParisARSENAL FC: All the latest news from across the web[LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail