Published: 3 September, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger has pointed to the lack of quality players available during the transfer window as to why Arsenal didn’t splash the cash this summer. 

The Gunners boss added that Manchester United’s “€80million” outlay on Anthony Martial sums up a stagnant transfer market. 

United forked out £36million on the Monaco forward on Tuesday, making Martial the most expensive teenager in world football. 

But that’s without taking into account any potential add-ons, and Wenger says he has been told that the deal could be worth as much as €80million – around £59million at current rates – for a 19-year-old who is still uncapped at international level. 

“Look what happened with Monaco, who sold Martial to Manchester United for 80million euros. I’ve heard Martial scored 11 goals in the French championship – that sums it up well,” Wenger told beIN Sports on Wednesday. 

“That means it’s not the money that’s missing at the moment, it’s not the desire of investment that is missing, it’s the number of players available who can strengthen the big clubs. 

“The problem at the moment is finding the players that guarantee you are a better team after you sign them. 

“Martial is a huge talent – he’s 19 years old. The investment is absolutely huge as well. 

“It shows you that there’s not many players in the world who can strengthen these teams.” 

Wenger’s failure to bring in new players left fans’ favourite Thierry Henry bemused on transfer deadline day, with the Arsenal legend quick to criticise his former boss. 

“Right now they are already five points behind Manchester City, still have not won at home and won two games by an own goal, which is still their best goal-scorer at the moment,” he said. 

“It does not look right now like they are going to win the league like this. But I think Arsene believes he can win the league with that team and that the team is good enough. And that is his prerogative. 

“I think he should have tried to bring in players and I think he did try, it could not happen. But I still think that the team needed some players.”