Arsene's going on a summer holiday - but not for long
Arsene Wenger admits he will only have a few days holiday this summer before preparing for next season, writes Jem Maidment. The Arsenal manager expects a very busy couple of months ahead and said this week it would be criminal not to build on this year
Arsene Wenger admits he will only have a few days holiday this summer before preparing for next season, writes Jem Maidment.
The Arsenal manager expects a very busy couple of months ahead and said this week it would be "criminal" not to build on this year's advances. He also hit back at talks of a crisis at The Emirates.
"At the moment the vibes coming out of the club is like we are going to implode but it is not like that at all," said the Frenchman, whose side completed their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win at Sunderland on Sunday.
"We are in a very good financial situation, we have a good team and good players - I will be a busy man this summer, but I am not worried. I feel they [the players] have created something special and not to take advantage of that would be criminal for me."
Alex Hleb is still being tipped to leave for Internazionale this summer although the manager maintains nobody else will leave the club this summer after Mathieu Flamini's move to AC Milan. Wenger also revealed Flamini had told him he would stay before opting to leave for Serie A.
Now he hopes to plug vital gaps within the next fortnight - and with a reputed £70m warchest, he hinted he may buy talent already playing in English football, if the price is right.
9 Highgate School to overhaul safeguarding after sexual abuse review
10 'Buddhism or biscuits? From toy designer to a Hampstead Unitarian minister'
"It would be better to buy someone who has played in England because they are less risky," he said.
"But it costs more money from the Premier League, so maybe I will try to do both."
And despite a third place finish, Wenger admits the season is tinged with disappointment.
"Like every big disappointment in life, you go through a period where you have to swallow, digest it and think, where do I go from here?