Wenger rues Arsenal’s failure to sign defender: It's been very difficult

 
Sep 26, 2014 10:40:00

The Gunners embarked on the new season with just six senior defenders to cover four positions but the Frenchman insists he did all he could to reinforce his backline this summer
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have been unlucky with their amount of injuries in defence and insists buying cover in the summer transfer market was difficult.

Thomas Vermaelen's departure for Barcelona in a €19 million deal, combined with the failure to sign Greece international Kostas Manolas, ensured the Gunners embarked on the new season with just six senior defenders for four positions.

Mathieu Debuchy has since sustained twisted ankle ligaments and will be sidelined for up to three months, while Nacho Monreal is also out with a shorter-term back problem, leaving Arsenal even more stretched in defence.


Wenger admits health issues have injury problems have created a tricky situation but is adamant that he did all he could to sign reinforcements in the summer.

"We have been unlucky to lose Monreal and Debuchy but it's very difficult to buy defenders in this market," the Frenchman told reporters.

Arsenal splashed out over €88m to sign Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Calum Chambers, Debuchy and David Ospina this summer.