Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: 'The pressure to buy is always there, no matter if Giroud was injured or not. We're trying our best and everyone at the club is working hard'

Published: 31 August, 2014 
by STEVE BARNETT

Premier League 
LEICESTER CITY 1, ARSENAL 1

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger insisted that he will be "very active" in the final hours of the transfer window after seeing his side held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at Leicester. 

The Gunners had 26 attempts on their opponents' goal at the King Power Stadium, only six of which were on target. 

Despite his side squandering so much good possession in the final third, Wenger refused to confirm that he wants to sign another striker as a replacement for the injured Olivier Giroud – but did admit he expects to add to his squad before Monday's 11pm deadline. 

"We are very active," Wenger said when quizzed on any last-minute deals. "We are disappointed not to get three points, but let's not put that down to only missing a striker. Football is more complicated than that. 

"The pressure to buy is always there, no matter if Giroud was injured or not. We're trying our best and everyone at the club is working hard. 

"We are open to the idea of making new signings, and we want to, but we have to find the right personnel, that's the problem." 

It looked like it was going to be a comfortable afternoon for the Gunners when Alexis Sanchez turned in his first league goal for the club on 20 minutes after Yaya Sanogo had bundled the ball past keeper Kasper Schmeichel. But Nigel Pearson's promoted side were level within two minutes as Leonardo Ulloa scored his second goal in successive home games. 

The Argentine headed home the equaliser after climbing above Laurent Koscielny, who was still out of sorts following a clash of heads with Leicester's Jeffrey Schlupp. 

The Arsenal defender had to be subbed minutes later, and Wenger said that the injury played a part in Leicester levelling the scores. 

"It was a tough game," said Wenger. "I think we were a bit unlucky with the injury to Koscielny because without it he might have got the ball. 

"But overall we didn't create enough clear-cut chances and I think a draw was a fair result." 

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny (Chambers, 26), Monreal, Flamini, Cazorla (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 77), Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Sanogo (Podolski, 77). 
Unused subs: Martinez, Rosicky, Wilshere, Campbell. 
Attendance: 31,535.