Wenger hits out at footballers' salaries and insists he'll spend 150m of sponsors money 'the right way'
|
UPDATED:
16:09 GMT, 27 November 2012
Arsene Wenger has hit out at football's lavish spending once again as he criticised excessive wage demands.
The Arsenal boss has 150million in sponsorship cash from Emirates which he wants to spend 'in the right way'.
The club agreed a deal with long-term partners Emirates Airlines last week which sees a lucrative sponsorship extension earning the club around 30m a year.
Sticking to his guns: Arsene Wenger says a 30million deal now can cost up to 60m factoring in wages
But Wenger believes many transfers are now being blown out of proportion by players' salaries rising.
He said: 'If we get that amount of
money from sponsors it is not charity, it is because the sponsors feel
that we act in the right way and with the right values. They reward
that.
'Afterwards it is down to us to spend the money in the right way.
'There are two aspects to any deal; one is the transfer [fee] and the other is the wages.
'The transfers for these kinds of
players are not at 30million today, they are at 50million or
60million and what has gone through the roof is the wages of these
players.
'That is why people plead for
financial fair play. Some clubs even pleaded that the new television
money (for Premier League clubs) should not be used to increase wages
because it gives huge problems to everybody.'
Wenger is likely to move for a forward
when the January transfer window opens, with a short-term loan move for
Thierry Henry remaining a possibility as well as a bid for Crystal Palace’s promising
youngster Wilfried Zaha.
As always, Wenger stressed any new addition must bring added value to the group.
'If we find the real top, top, top
player then we will be on the market,' he added. 'We have no fixed
number, we look just at quality.
Is Arsene speaking from experience Theo Walcott is a contract rebel
'We have a good squad, I believe that these players have a fantastic attitude. They deserve success and they will have success.'
Some sections of the Arsenal support
would appear not to share that faith as Wenger came in for criticism
during the goalless draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Chants of 'You don’t know what you’re
doing' greeted the 86th-minute substitution of striker Olivier Giroud
for defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin, but Wenger’s focus remains
unmoved.
'My job is to give full commitment to this club, with integrity. That’s what I always do without expecting any return,' he said.
'I don’t want to comment on that (the chants). I just make sure that I do my job properly, that’s what I do.'
Struggle: Arsenal will face a gritty Everton team at Goodison Park
The Gunners head to Everton tomorrow looking to close up on the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
After a positive start Everton have
struggled for wins in recent weeks, with Norwich’s last-gasp equaliser
on Saturday making it five draws in seven games.
Arsenal are a point behind the fifth-placed Toffees and Wenger urged against any complacency.
'They are always serious, Everton,
because they can give anybody a game,' said Wenger, who should have
forward Theo Walcott back from a shoulder problem tomorrow night.
'I don’t think any big team in the league goes to Everton and thinks it will be a walk out there.
'For us it’s a vital game every year.
They fight at the top of the league every year. They are one of the
contenders for a Champions League spot as well.
'Everton have gone through a more difficult spell recently, but it will just be down to us and the quality of our performance.'
