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Wenger keeps faith in Gunners despite no big signings



LONDON — Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal’s 1-0 win over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur proves they can thrive without any big-money signings.

Wenger has endured a frustrating transfer window marred by his failure to fulfil the Arsenal board’s promise to finally splash the cash after eight years without a trophy.


The Gunners boss missed out on Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Luiz Gustavo and was subjected to vitriolic abuse from Arsenal fans after his team’s opening-day defeat at home to Aston Villa.


With the transfer window closing on Monday evening, Wenger conceded he might have to go through the first half of the season with free transfers Mathieu Flamini and Yaya Sanogo as his only signings. But if that is the case, he takes heart from the way his side outplayed Tottenham, who included five of the seven players signed at a cost of more than £100m to offset the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.


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After a busy transfer deadline day, Gareth Bale finally left Spurs for a world record transfer fee and was unveiled as a Real Madrid player.

Left-back Danny Rose said that no-one could begrudge Bale his move to the Bernabeu saying: “I don’t think anyone can hold a grudge against him leaving. I wish him all the best and I hope he enjoys the occasion in Madrid.


“It’s brilliant for him. He did have a tough start in his first couple of years after he joined so it’s amazing to see the way he has come on.”

He wasn’t the only outgoing at from White Hart Lane, as Tom Carroll and Benoit Assou-Ekotto were reunited with former manager at Championship club Harry Redknapp on season-long loans.


Kaka returns to Milan after four years in Spain


Kaka

Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaka returned to Milan yesterday after four years at Real Madrid during which he went from one of the world’s top players to an unhappy, over-priced, injury-prone reserve.

The 31-year-old’s dramatic loss of form has also led to him being shelved from Brazil’s plans for the 2014 World Cup after he was left out of the Confederations Cup squad this year.

Kaka has been plagued by injuries over the last few years, including one to his left knee shortly after the 2010 World Cup.

He made only 82 league appearances during his time at Real after his 65-million-euro move in 2009 and rarely played anything more than a supporting role.


Arsenal agree fee for midfielder Ozil

Arsenal were poised to land the biggest deal on transfer deadline day after agreeing a fee with Real Madrid for playmaker Mesut Ozil, Press Association Sport reported late last night.

It has been a frustrating summer for the Gunners, who have failed to complete any big-money moves, despite heavy interest in Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Yohan Cabaye among others, yet they were on course to smash their transfer record had Ozil completed his move to north London.