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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will try to tie up a deal for Bayern Munich's 14million midfielder Luiz Gustavo this week after admitting the club finally need to start spending in the transfer window.
Wenger, who is increasingly downbeat about attempts to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, admits his squad are not strong enough to cope with a Premier League-Champions League double whammy and is ready for action after a quiet summer, which has seen only French youngster Yaya Sanogo come in.
Gustavo missed Bayern's first Bundesliga match of the season and, pressed whether there was a strong interest, he said: 'It's as you say.'
Wenger target: Brazil and Bayern Munich's Luiz Gustavo (right) in action.
However, reports that the Brazilian had already signed were not confirmed by the Arsenal manager, who said: 'There is nothing concrete yet.'
Wenger made it clear to his board that he wants players, with Arsenal starting their League season against Aston Villa on Saturday before meeting Fenerbahce in a massively important Champions League play-off match.
'We hope to play 55 games this season. We are a little bit thin squad-wise,' he said. 'But I am an optimist. This is the first time for many years that we have kept all our important players at the club.'
Man with a plan: Arsene Wenger speaks to the press
The chase for Suarez is looking increasingly unlikely to be successful, however, following Liverpool owner John W Henry's assertion that he was 'unequivocal' about refusing to sell to the Londoners following a bid of 40,000,001.
Wenger will not give up and a significant third bid of about 45m later in the window is possible.
But the Gunners manager admitted: 'If I listen to everyone else, he [Suarez] is not available. But we'll see. We will do things in the right way.'
Goalscorer: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud celebrates his goal against Manchester City
Wenger was talking after his Arsenal side ended pre-season with a 3-1 victory against Manchester City in Helsinki that was dubbed as the "SuperMatch" by the Finnish organisers.
Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud took advantage of shoddy City defending to score, before a late consolation from striker Alvaro Negredo.
Jack Wilshere played 45 minutes for Arsenal and will be fit for England's match against Scotland on Wednesday.
How funny, ARSENAL have not signed anyone yet but we are odds on favourites to finish in the TOP 4 ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Spuds, and these lot have all strengthened already. That should tell you where you stand compared to THE ARSENAL. Lol - Yessss , London, 11/8/2013 02:12 Same as before but Arsenal always come out on top in the end.
- Tony Freeman , Tampa USA, United States, 11/8/2013 06:25
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