Arsène Wenger has ruled out a move for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, although he does concede that his team needs established players in the 24-27 age bracket.
He did not rule out spending money on new players in any position, and has spoken of Arsenal's ability to match any Premiership team - except Chelsea - in the transfer market.
"This year, we have the money available and we will spend it if I find what is really needed for the squad - in any department," he said.
"I have an under-21s team from one to 11. Then we have some exceptional players aged over 30 - like Robért Píres, Dennis Bergkamp and Sol Campbell.
"But we need a few more in the bracket from 24 to 27, who are established players."
Wenger conceded that in a bidding war for Gerrard, Chelsea would always have the upper hand over the Gunners.
Wenger noted: "I'm not especially after Steven Gerrard.
"I wouldn't say no but I know from the start that he would not go from Liverpool for less than £30m. Therefore I don't even envisage buying him for one second.
"We cannot compete financially with Chelsea. Players won't automatically go there - but if it's down to financial issues they certainly will," he conceded.
"It's very bad for the transfer market. Whether it's bad for the game, I don't know, because they can build great teams.
"But there are just enough players in the world that we're not necessarily all after the same ones.
"In any case, it's not about what you've done; you are attractive for what you can do, the type of football you play and the way you live."
When asked if Arsenal would be able to match any English club in the transfer market this summer, Wenger was definitely positive.
"Yes," he replied immediately. "Manchester United have always spent much more than Arsenal. They bought Wayne Rooney, Alan Smith and Louis Saha in the same year," he pointed out.
"We have been in the same bracket as Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle maybe - but we've had the advantage of being in the Champions League each season.
"This summer, I will go for stability - not necessarily a revolution - but we will try to add one or two players."
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All been said before but it's good to see he's not being silly with the money and not wasting it on Mr. Overrated himself, Gerrard. Although if he spent 30m on Xabi Alonso ...
He did not rule out spending money on new players in any position, and has spoken of Arsenal's ability to match any Premiership team - except Chelsea - in the transfer market.
"This year, we have the money available and we will spend it if I find what is really needed for the squad - in any department," he said.
"I have an under-21s team from one to 11. Then we have some exceptional players aged over 30 - like Robért Píres, Dennis Bergkamp and Sol Campbell.
"But we need a few more in the bracket from 24 to 27, who are established players."
Wenger conceded that in a bidding war for Gerrard, Chelsea would always have the upper hand over the Gunners.
Wenger noted: "I'm not especially after Steven Gerrard.
"I wouldn't say no but I know from the start that he would not go from Liverpool for less than £30m. Therefore I don't even envisage buying him for one second.
"We cannot compete financially with Chelsea. Players won't automatically go there - but if it's down to financial issues they certainly will," he conceded.
"It's very bad for the transfer market. Whether it's bad for the game, I don't know, because they can build great teams.
"But there are just enough players in the world that we're not necessarily all after the same ones.
"In any case, it's not about what you've done; you are attractive for what you can do, the type of football you play and the way you live."
When asked if Arsenal would be able to match any English club in the transfer market this summer, Wenger was definitely positive.
"Yes," he replied immediately. "Manchester United have always spent much more than Arsenal. They bought Wayne Rooney, Alan Smith and Louis Saha in the same year," he pointed out.
"We have been in the same bracket as Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle maybe - but we've had the advantage of being in the Champions League each season.
"This summer, I will go for stability - not necessarily a revolution - but we will try to add one or two players."
-----------
All been said before but it's good to see he's not being silly with the money and not wasting it on Mr. Overrated himself, Gerrard. Although if he spent 30m on Xabi Alonso ...
