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Arsene Wenger insists he has not given up hope of signing Luis Suarez despite Liverpool owner John Henry categorically ruling out the possibility of selling his star striker to Arsenal.
The Gunners have failed with a bid of 40million and one pound for Suarez – who has been forced to train on his own in recent days – with Liverpool adamant that it has not triggered a release clause in his contract.
Wenger faced questions about the issue when Arsenal landed in Helsinki this afternoon ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly against Manchester City.
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Asked if Henry's statement will make him abandon his pursuit of Suarez, the Arsenal boss said: 'No because we are in the middle of the transfer period and we are looking at possibilities to strengthen our squad.
'I didn't read his statements but that's how it will work or not work. We'll be faithful to the way we want to behave.
'I've nothing to add to what I said already about the transfer of Suarez. If it will be done, it will be done in a respectful way with Liverpool.
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'To make a transfer happen you need the agreement of three parties – the buyer, the seller and the player. We know we want to do.
'Liverpool at the moment do not agree. Whether they change their mind or not we don't know. We'll respect that.
'Suarez is one of the targets. If he's not for sale, he's not for sale we have to accept that.'
Suarez has publicly called on Liverpool to let him leave so he can play Champions League football this season, bringing an angry response from manager Brendan Rodgers.
Asked if it was feasible for Liverpool to keep a player who is so clearly unhappy at Anfield, Wenger added: 'That's not for me to asses that. I don't know the relations between the player and the club.
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'Every situation is different. I was in that situation with Robin van Persie last year but Van Persie had a one-year contract so the situation was a bit different. Every club has its own way to deal with things. We have our own way and we respect that all the other clubs.'
Wenger admitted that Arsenal's Champions League eliminator against Fenerbahce is a 'strange situation' considering the Turkish club could win the tie and still be thrown out of the competition if their appeal against a two-year ban for match-fixing allegations is thrown out later this month.
'It's a strange situation,' said Wenger. 'They are basically suspended. It is a strange situation in different ways.
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'They have been suspended to play in Europe, have appealed to a tribunal to the Arbitration of Sport. On top of that, nobody knows if they lose the case what will happen. It's a very strange situation.
'But it's a difficult draw. Fenerbahce is a strong team with history in the Champions League. They have good players who have played in England – Yobo, Dirk Kuyt.
'I looked at their squad and there is a lot of experience. We need to have a good performance and I am confident we can go through but it is a big task.'
Wenger also gave an update on Jack Wilshere, saying he would have no qualms if he was to play some part in England's friendly with Scotland on Wednesday.
'Jack Wilshere is on his way back to full fitness. He is not completely ready yet but he is in a good way so if he plays half the game, why not? He needs games at the moment.'
Surely it's stretching things to claim that Suarez can't be sold to a 'rival'. Liverpool finished as close to Arsenal in the league last season as they did to West Ham, and they evidently have no problem selling strikers to West Ham.
- Geraint , UK, United Kingdom, 10/8/2013 18:24
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