Arsene Wenger reveals he wants to make a signing in January

Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger reveals he wants to make a signing in January

The loss of Francis Coquelin in central midfield for at least three months has persuaded Wenger to re-evaluate his holding midfield options

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he wants to make a signing in January and has described Mesut Ozil, his club record £42.5 million buy, as one of the best “bargains” of his 19-year tenure as manager.

The loss of Francis Coquelin in central midfield for at least three months has persuaded Wenger to re-evaluate his holding midfield options, with the club focussing on loan as well as possible permanent arrivals amid an acceptance that it will be hard to find much available quality.

Wenger has the reputation for being reluctant to spend big but, having admitting that he had no idea what Black Friday was, said that his definition of “bargain” was linked only with quality.

“We are in a position where we want to do something,” he said. “If I find the right quality I will do something. Who doesn’t love a bargain? What is for us a bargain is to buy top quality as only top quality strengthens our squad. Patrick Vieira cost £2.5 million and was a top bargain, first of all because he was a top quality player. We spent £40 million on Ozil and I still consider it a bargain because we got a top quality player.

“Mesut is not only a provider now; he likes to get on the end of things. What he has added is the runs into the box. He played before like he was not too obsessed with scoring, now he has a more balance between giving and producing.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has resumed training and will be in the squad that plays Norwich City on Sunday, while Theo Walcott began running again this week and is hoping to be available for the decisive Champions League match against Olympiakos in two weeks. Wenger said that Alexis Sanchez had experienced a “a little alarm” to his hamstring but that he was not inclined to rest him against Norwich City.

“I will have to assess that a bit later,” he said. “Spontaneously it is not maybe the best moment to rest Sanchez. He had a little hamstring alarm and I have to assess that Friday or latest Saturday. I take information from the medial people, those who know him and treat him every day. We look at his overall recovery, when there are alarming signs you want to make the right decisions.”