Wenger rules out Highbury spending spree
Wednesday, 11 May 2005 11:59Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger appears to have ruled out any major spending spree by the Highbury outfit in the summer, despite being linked to the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips and David Beckham.
Wenger is believed to have a significant transfer kitty to spend, but while he has previously talked of bringing established players to Highbury, the Arsenal boss insists that he will only be making 'minor changes' to his squad.
"It will be minor changes and small money. I don't know what is big money for you but for me small money is £5million and big money is £25million," the Arsenal boss revealed.
"I'm not necessarily a small money man, I've nothing against money. But you spend what you have - or you die. We want someone who will bring us something extra. And I can tell you a few players who have brought something extra for below £5million."
Wenger's over-riding aim is to keep his current squad together as he believes Arsenal have already regained lost ground on Chelsea by recovering their defensive stability.
"In the past three months, I feel we have made up the ground on Chelsea and are up there with them defensively," declared Wenger.
"That's why I don't think we need a lot. We need to start next season really hungry and determined and keep all the players together. We've conceded 34 goals - 10 goals more than we should have done - and that made the difference."
Arsenal's defence has been helped greatly by the emergence of young central defender Philippe Senderos, who has impressed greatly while filling in for the injured Sol Campbell.
Campbell is nevertheless set to start either tonight's game against Everton or Sunday's match at Birmingham, giving him a chance of proving his fitness for the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 21.
