Wenger won´t break the bank to boost Arsenal

Arsene Wenger insisted on Friday that he has no intention of spending crazy money in the January transfer window to get Arsenal's spluttering season back on track.

Wenger's side have little chance of winning the Premier League after falling 10 points behind leaders Liverpool and the fifth-placed Gunners could even miss out on a place in the Champions League as Aston Villa step up their challenge to finish in the top four.

With captain Cesc Fabregas, England winger Theo Walcott and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky all sidelined for several months through injuries, Wenger is expected to strengthen his depleted squad this month.

Zenit St Petersburg's Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin and Everton's Spain midfielder Mikel Arteta have both been linked with Arsenal.

But Wenger is determined not to risk his club's security in the current perilous financial climate, so he will only sign players if the price meets his valuation.

“We have a specific budget which is not as big as I have read in the newspapers, some ridiculous amounts of money that are completely crazy. But we will try to use it wisely and well if we can,” he said.

“This team is together, getting stronger and stronger – but what we need to focus on is continually developing and not live in dreamland where we are linked with players of 30 million pounds or 40 million pounds because that is not realistic.

“At the moment, people in football are not conscious of what is facing us economically.

“People still think we are in a bubble, but we will be hit like anybody else in this economical crisis, I am convinced of that.

“You will have a much more cautious market than you expect it to be and one of the isolated powers you could have are Manchester City.

“That will be one of their strengths because they will not have quite as much competition as they would have had in normal circumstances.”

Arsenal have a long-term debt commitment following the move to their new, 60,000-seater home at Ashburton Grove and Wenger knows the Gunners must continue to live within their means.

“What is most important is the club has built a new stadium and we live in a very strong and healthy situation financially,” he said.

“You look how many clubs have done that and we play at the top. “How many clubs have managed to build a new stadium, have a good financial situation and continue to play at the top?

“It is not that we do not want to spend. We have gone for a policy that is to develop our young players and we have to show some character and strength, not listen to everybody who comes out everyday with a new name.”

Wenger does not expect any of his players to leave this month even though Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure recently had a transfer request rejected following a disagreement over team selection.

“The situation is that Kolo is a player who has two-and-a-half-year contract and will remain with us,” Wenger said.

“I am happy with players who are committed and Kolo is a big example.

“There was a minor incident that you can multiply by 20. It happens every day in every club which is sorted out. Kolo is happy here.

“We have a very young and compact squad and I don't expect anybody to leave.”