Published: 26 July, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger both stunned and delighted Arsenal fans this week when he declared that he hasn’t finished his summer spending spree just yet.

The Gunners’ boss, famed for being tight-lipped when it comes to his dealings in the transfer market, has already sprung one surprise when he moved quickly to strengthen his attacking options by signing Lukas Podolski from Cologne and Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.

Wenger, who has been linked with Spanish international Santi Cazorla, refused to be drawn on specific targets when he faced the media in Beijing on Wednesday, but he did make it clear he’s planning to add to his squad before the transfer window closes.

“You see I have come here to say as little as possible!” joked Wenger, before quickly adding, “I am ready to talk a lot, but not a lot about transfers, because it is a very fragile subject and a very secret subject.

“We bought Giroud and Podolski and I hope that we bought Diaby and Wilshere too, who didn’t play at all last season. We will add Wilshere to the squad as soon as possible. But we are not at the end of the transfers – we will still bring players in.”

Within hours of landing in China for the second leg of the Arsenal 2012 Tour Wenger was also quizzed about the situation surrounding Robin van Persie, who has not travelled with the club.

The Gunners’ captain seemingly criticised the direction the club is moving in as he confirmed he won’t be extending his current contract, which expires next year.

The move sparked interest from a host of top clubs, including Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, none of whom have matched Arsenal’s reported £20million asking price.

Wenger, however, remains determined to keep van Persie at the Emirates and confirmed there have been no fresh developments concerning the striker’s future. “There is nothing to elaborate,” said the Frenchman.

“The options are clear. We want to keep our players. I would be happy for him to stay in the English Premier League – at Arsenal.”