Wenger: Scrap January transfer window

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called for the January transfer window to be scrapped.

The Gunners boss believes clubs should either be able to buy and sell players all year round or that the transfer window should be closed all year.

“I would leave it completely open all year, or you close it for a whole year. Now, it is in between,” Wenger said.

“Everybody becomes nervous in November until January. Then players maybe think, ‘If I don’t play then I will leave in January’. They are already less committed to the cause, it gives them an opening.”

“We have gone from a period where we knew if we didn’t play we had to be committed to the club, had no other option but to fight for the place.

“Now there is not a position where the players have a quick and easy way out if it is difficult.”

The Frenchman claims that the competitive edge of the Premier League means it is becoming more difficult for new recruits to settle and adjust to England’s top flight.

“In the Premier League the level is so high now and it takes him three or four months to adjust,” Wenger said.

“You find a young player who doesn’t play somewhere and needs to get used to the Premier League, or players who do not play, but by the time they get fit, you will have your injured players back.”

After a tricky start the Gunners are fifth place in the table although Wenger maintains that winning the Premier League title this term will be a tall order.

“I don’t deny that it is very difficult for us to win the league, but it is not impossible because it looks like there are no teams that will keep the consistency they showed in the first half of the season,” he said.

“That is what we need, but if they make 45 points again then for us it is impossible.”

The north London outfit, along with Chelsea, are still fighting for three major trophies this season and Wenger suggests his side will remain focused on going as far as they can.

“Let’s be realistic. We still have three challenges left in front of us and there are only two teams who have that in England,” he said.

“It’s the Champions League, FA Cup and the championship – only us and Chelsea can still do that.”