Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger finally admits that he treats the club’s cash as if it were his own
Notoriously thrifty Gunners boss confirms long-held claims from fans frustrated at years of being financially out-muscled
ARSENE WENGER has finally admitted that he spends Arsenal's cash as if it were coming out of his own pocket.
The notoriously thrifty Frenchman also claimed he does not like splashing out because he is worried about making a costly mistake.
Gunners fans have long accused Wenger of jealously guarding the club's money like his own.
And after another frustrating summer of watching their top-four rivals strengthening, they finally have their confirmation.
Wenger, 66, came clean Alan Curbishley's book Game Changers: Inside English Football.
He said: “I personally believe the only way to be a manager is to spend the club’s money as if it were your own, because if you don’t do that you’re susceptible to too many mistakes.
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“You make big decisions and I believe you have to act like it’s your own money — like you’re the owner of the club and you can identify completely with the club, because if you don’t do that I think you cannot go far.”
Wenger has made just one signing this summer - £30million Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka - and has been priced out of landing several other targets.
And after watching other Premier League clubs smash their transfer records with this season's bumper TV windfall, Arsenal fans are growing increasingly annoyed.
They chanted “spend some f***ing money” after the 0-0 draw with defending champs Leicester.
And they grew yet more frustrated when Wenger bizarrely claimed he was more concerned about paying Arsenal's staff than signing players.
The Frenchman is determined to sign a centre-back before the window snaps shut but Valencia want£50m for Shkodran Mustafi and West Brom want are demanding £25m for Jonny Evans.