Arsene Wenger insists he is only looking to add “special” players to his Arsenal squad but admits he does not know when any new signings may arrive at the club.
Much has been made of the Gunners’ lack of spending in the current transfer window, with 20-year-old French striker Yaya Sanogo the only player to have arrived at Emirates Stadium so far this summer.
With the transfer deadline now just over a week away, Wenger was quizzed over his plans as he faced the media on Monday ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League return play-off against Fenerbahce.
And the Frenchman, who refused to be drawn on specific names, admits that it is very difficult to predict when any new signings might be made.
“I have no fixed date because the delays don’t depend on us only,” Wenger said. “It’s very difficult to predict that.
“We do not have a fixed number [of players needed], I just think we are a bit short at the moment.
“But I believe the most important thing is to focus on the quality of the squad I have and to play the football we want to play.
“I’m guided by my conscience to do as well as I can for this club and by the vision of the game I want to play.
“And I feel with the players I have, we can play the football we want to play. I’m a great admirer of the spirit and the attitude of these players. They are special.
“If I want to add something, it has to be special.
“I still am optimistic [Arsenal will make some signings] and I hope I will not disappoint you.”
Wenger also reserved special praise for Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud after the pair fired Arsenal to a 3-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday.
He continued: “If you look at the number of goals we scored last season, we had the second [best] record in the league and the third [best] defence. That means the potential is there.
“It was the first year for Olivier Giroud and it was the first year for Lukas Podolski. That means this season they will be more efficient because they are quality players.
“They know how to play together and know how we want to play. If you look at their record, it’s quite impressive.”