Arsenal transfers: Wenger admits top-four finish is vital to plans

Arsene Wenger admits that securing Champions League qualification is vital for Arsenal’s transfer plans this summer.

The Gunners are currently fourth in the Premier League table heading into Sunday’s clash at Everton on Sunday after a run of poor results dented their title hopes.

It’s the first question you get asked by a player

Arsene Wenger

And the Frenchman says that European football is a necessity if the north London club are to attract top players in the summer.

Wenger said: “It is much more difficult [to attract players without Champions League football].

“It’s the first question you get asked by a player. Liverpool managed to do it because they have long term contracts and they could keep Luis Suarez.

“If you imagine Liverpool without Suarez, they won’t play for the championship.”

Wenger is hopeful that his side’s record of having qualified for Europe’s elite club competition for the last 16 seasons will help his side this term.

“What plays a part is the memory that you have done it before, so we know we can do it.

“It is [a six-pointer]. For us, it’s an opportunity to go up forward and as well an opportunity to make a distance with Everton of course. It’s both.

“As I told you after the last game against Man City – we look in front of us and behind us as well. That’s what the game is about on Sunday.”