Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger fears rivals’ power to buy big in summer transfer window

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Arsène Wenger has admitted he is scared that Arsenal may be outgunned again in the transfer market this summer, fearing that rivals Chelsea are to embark on a spree of epic proportions.

“I’m afraid of what Chelsea can do in the summer,” the Arsenal manager said. “We have to be prepared for them to be one of the biggest movers in terms of investment once the window opens.

“Even though they already have a great base to their squad, notably their young players such as Oscar, Juan Mata, Ramires and Eden Hazard, I think they will be busy during the window. We’ve heard a lot of talk about Falcao. Some people say it’s already a done deal but I’ve heard nothing.”

Wenger’s comments about his rivals strengthening came on the day his squad were weakened, for the short term at least, as he complained at the “harsh” decision to uphold Olivier Giroud’s three-match ban.

Giroud was shown a straight red card by referee Andre Marriner in the final minute of Saturday’s 1-0 win at Fulham, with Arsenal adamant that the France striker had simply slipped as he challenged Stanislav Manolev.

An appeal, however, was rejected by an FA regulatory commission and Arsenal will be without Giroud for matches against Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers and Wigan.

“It is a blow – we will have to do without him and we will do it,” said Wenger of Arsenal’s chances of achieving a top-four finish.
“It is a harsh decision. Having seen it again, I feel it is completely accidental and a very minor incident. I am sad that it didn’t work but we have to cope with it.”
Giroud, after an unsteady start to the season, has featured regularly during Arsenal’s recent run of improved form and his absence leaves the team short of options as the main central striker.