With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has conceded that he doesn’t expect any more activity.
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Speaking to the media in his press conference on Monday morning, the French tactician revealed that he doesn’t expect to make any more signings, although Mathieu Debuchy could yet leave the Emirates in a loan move, according to Sky Sports.
“99 per cent I won’t do a major deal, but if Lionel Messi walked through my door at 10 to six, I wouldn’t say please go back to Barcelona.”
Wenger says he has been surprised by the lack of major deals during this window but conceded “the big players just aren’t available,” which in turn will ensure that Mohamed Elneny will remain their only signing this month.
The Egyptian international made his debut in the FA Cup win over Burnley on Saturday, and impressed for the most part despite doubts being raised about his lack of physicality.
Nevertheless, Wenger will have been pleased with what he saw as he also welcomed back Alexis Sanchez and Francis Coquelin to the lineup as the pair have now recovered from injury problems.
In turn, with key players coming back, Wenger will arguably feel as though he is getting new signings as he looks to plot a way of closing the three-point gap between the Gunners and Premier League leaders Leicester City.
Arsenal face Southampton on Tuesday night, before they travel to Bournemouth on Sunday hoping to overcome a disappointing run of results which has seen them go without a win in their last three league games.