Wenger insists Gunners still strong as answers elude him

London: In one breath, Arsene Wenger offered hope to any Arsenal fans fretting about life after Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

With the next, he fuelled the fears of those hoping that last season's capitulation, a change of ownership and the loss of star players might spark a change of philosophy inside the Emirates.

"We are all replaceable," said the Arsenal manager. "A big player attracts the game to him but sometimes when you lose a big player other people stand up and take more responsibility."

With talk of sensible spending and chances for youth, Wenger's rhetoric is identical to this time last year. Much of his press briefing yesterday was riddled with contradictions.

He refused to confirm Fabregas and Nasri would definitely leave but there were knowing smiles as he evaded questions.

Riches to roll in

When they go Arsenal will be compensated to the tune of nearly £60 million (Dh358.7 million) but how useful is that with less than three weeks to the summer transfer deadline.

Wenger claimed the Gunners were "nowhere near" cracking a deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Jadson from Shakhtar Donetsk and that the move for Valencia's Juan Mata was now dead.

More likely are more exits. Emmanuel Eboue has not been given a squad number and is close to signing for Galatasaray and Nicklas Bendtner is no longer considered part of his squad.

"Now is the time for [Kieran] Gibbs," said Wenger on the subject of a left back to replace Gael Clichy and, as for the quest for a new central defender, he argued Thomas Vermaelen was like a new signing after missing most of last season.

International market

"Everybody looks for centre backs," said Wenger. "We are not in a supermarket where you go to a shelf and you ask, where are the centre backs or the strikers? We are in an international market where all over the world people look for the same players. We have a massive squad and are not short of players."

Perhaps it was a message for Valencia, Shakhtar, Everton and Bolton, all with players admired by Wenger who knows Arsenal will soon be awash with new cash.

But such negotiating tactics have their pitfalls. By holding out for six weeks on Fabregas and Nasri, the Gunners believe they have earned an extra £30 million.

Barcelona bid £19 million for Fabregas in June but were last night finalising a package worth £35 million. It is a distraction at the start of a daunting month of fixtures.

The Gunners were at Newcastle yesterday, followed by a Champions League play-off against Udinese and games against Liverpool and Manchester United before the end of August.

"We have enough strength. Champions are people who don't give in," added Wenger.

— Daily Mail