Wenger: Top-four absence won’t affect transfers; Sanchez doubt

Rob McCarthy

Arsene Wenger insists that finishing outside of the top four will not affect Arsenal’s transfer plans this summer.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s home clash against relegated Sunderland, the Gunners chief, who has yet to reveal his own plans for next season and beyond, was adamant that the club will continue with their business – even if Liverpool and Manchester City pip them for the remaining Champions League places.

He said: “I don’t think finishing outside the top four will influence how the club will operate in the transfer market.

“If we finish outside the top four it will be one point. It will be difficult to swallow but it won’t completely change the judgement of the team.”

Wenger is looking for his side to finish on a high after what has been a disappointing second half of the campaign.

He added: “We have to win our games and get to 75, which will be more points that last year. We have some momentum again, we have recovered.

“We have to win our games.

“We are mathematically [outsiders] but all we can do is win our games.

“We are getting stronger, teams fight against us and we have had to dig deep. We’ve won six of the last seven. We look strong again after not being stable, it’s positive.”

As for the game against the Black Cats, Wenger revealed that Laurent Koscielny is struggling after picking up an injury in the win at Stoke, while Kieran Gibbs and Alexis Sanchez are also doubtful.

Wenger added: “We have a little problem with Koscielny from Stoke, we’ll see how he is today. Gibbs and Sanchez we will have to see. Oxlade-Chamberlain is out.

“With Sanchez we will have to see, with him you never know. It was a kick but we will see.”