Wenger was speaking to John Dykes ahead of their preseason matches in the Barclays Asia Trophy, featuring Everton, Stoke City and the Singapore XI.
“The time where we had to sell our best players is over for sure,” said Wenger.
“We had five-six years where we on financial restrictions where we had to buy and sell also pay the stadium back. That time is gone, it was a very sensitive period and mentally a very difficult period. Now we are over than and we are competing with everyone on the financial front. I think we can keep our best players,” added the Frenchman.
Wenger said the current Gunners squad had what it takes to win the league title but acknowledged that it was going to be a huge challenge considering that other teams had beefed up their squads.
“I feel we are capable of doing it. In Spain you have two teams that can win it, in France you have one team, in Germany you have one and in England you have five who can win it. That means you have four disappointed clubs but the potential and desire is there,” Wenger said.
The Gunners gaffer highlighted that transfers were not always the answer as there are other aspects of team that need to be kept alive to make a team competitive.
“The transfer window is difficult period because we live in a society where people just want new,” said Wenger.
“What’s new, what do you buy. Even the player you want to buy the credit is directly linked with the amount of money you spend or amount of players you buy. But we forget that football is well construction, patience, hard work on the pitch and cohesion. Cohesion is a very important factor and it’s just neglected at the moment and most of the time the teams who stay together for longer are successful,” added Wenger.
The signing of Petr Cech was a difficult call but also a massive gamble worth taking according to the Arsenal manager.
“It was a very difficult decision for me on one side I must say, David Ospina and Wojciech Szczesny, won us the cup last year and have done very well. We conceded only 13 goals in 19 games in the second part of the season, that’s an exceptional record. No matter how good you are as goalkeeper it’s difficult to do better but on the other hand Petr Cech is of massive quality and experience he can help develop our goalkeepers,” said the Gunners boss.
“I feel we are capable of doing it. In Spain you have two teams that can win it, in France you have one team, in Germany you have one and in England you have five who can win it. That means you have four disappointed clubs but the potential and desire is there,” Wenger said.
The Gunners gaffer highlighted that transfers were not always the answer as there are other aspects of team that need to be kept alive to make a team competitive.
“The transfer window is difficult period because we live in a society where people just want new,” said Wenger.
“What’s new, what do you buy. Even the player you want to buy the credit is directly linked with the amount of money you spend or amount of players you buy. But we forget that football is well construction, patience, hard work on the pitch and cohesion. Cohesion is a very important factor and it’s just neglected at the moment and most of the time the teams who stay together for longer are successful,” added Wenger.
The signing of Petr Cech was a difficult call but also a massive gamble worth taking according to the Arsenal manager.
“It was a very difficult decision for me on one side I must say, David Ospina and Wojciech Szczesny, won us the cup last year and have done very well. We conceded only 13 goals in 19 games in the second part of the season, that’s an exceptional record. No matter how good you are as goalkeeper it’s difficult to do better but on the other hand Petr Cech is of massive quality and experience he can help develop our goalkeepers,” said the Gunners boss.
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