Wenger: We Must Sell Before We Can Buy

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On a day when his players produced another disappointing performance in the 0 – 1 defeat at Stoke, Arsene Wenger crushed the hopes of many Arsenal supporters who dreamt of new signings arriving before the close of the transfer window.

Having sold Gabriel to Valencia in an £11m deal, Wenger is determined to cut the size of his squad rather than adding to it. Speaking to BT Sport after the match, the under-pressure Frenchman said, ““I expect to sell players first. We have too many players. It is not manageable. Many clubs are in this situation – that is why the transfer market is quiet. We have 33 players at the moment. We have too many players.”

Lucas Perez is the only one of the fringe players with an immediate prospect of departing. A season-long loan move to his hometown club Deportivo La Coruna set to complete this week, frustrating Rafa Benitez’s hopes of taking his compatriot to St James Park.

Wenger has players in most positions to sell. Carl Jenkinson, 25, hasn’t attracted any genuine interest from the Premier League clubs although Serie Awhile Mathieu Debuchy, 31, saw a move to Nice fall through at the last minute but Marseille are rumoured to be considering the former French international.

Left-back Kieran Gibbs, 27, has seen Watford and West Brom distance themselves, deeming his wage demands excessive. Speculation linked Jack Wilshere, 25, with Aston Villa but recent comments from Wenger suggest the player will remain at the Emirates.

Others for whom the club are believed to be willing to listen to offers include Theo Walcott, 28, and Chuba Akpom, 21.

Wenger is under pressure to add a defensive midfielder to his squad but news of Barcelona’s interest in Nice’s Jean Michael Seri, 26, increased the disappointment felt among supporters.