Arsene Wenger: We still want to sign Luis Suarez

London: Arsene Wenger insists he has not given up on signing Luis Suarez, despite Liverpool owner John W Henry’s refusal to sell his star striker to Arsenal.

Wenger faced questions about the issue when Arsenal landed in Helsinki yesterday for Saturday’s final pre-season game against Manchester City.

Asked if Henry’s remarks will make him abandon his pursuit of the Uruguay striker, the Arsenal manager said: “No, because we are in the middle of the transfer period and we are looking at possibilities to strengthen our squad.

“I didn’t read his statements but that’s how it will work or not work. We’ll be faithful to the way we want to behave. I’ve nothing to add to what I said already about the transfer of Suarez. If it will be done, it will be done in a respectful way with Liverpool.

“To make a transfer happen you need the agreement of three parties — the buyer, the seller and the player. We know what we want to do.

“Liverpool at the moment do not agree. Whether they change their mind or not we don’t know. We’ll respect that. Suarez is one of the targets. If he’s not for sale, he’s not for sale - we have to accept that.”

Asked if it was feasible for Liverpool to keep a player who is unhappy, Wenger added: “That’s not for me to assess. I don’t know the relations between the player and the club.

“Every situation is different. I was in that situation with Robin van Persie last year but he had one year left on his contract so the situation was a bit different. Every club have their own way to deal with things. We have our own way and we respect the way of all the other clubs.”

Suarez has publicly called on Liverpool to let him leave so he can play Champions League football this season but if he goes to Arsenal he will be stepping into a huge controversy.

The Gunners have been drawn in the qualifying round against Fenerbahce, who are still waiting to know if they will be thrown out. The Turkish club were banned by UEFA for match-fixing but have appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

Wenger said: “Nobody knows, if they lose the case, what will happen. It’s a very strange situation.”

Initially Bursaspor, who finished fourth in the Turkish league, were due to be in the play-offs. Third-placed Besiktas would have been Fenerbahce’s replacements but they are appealing against their own match-fixing ban.

Uefa are refusing to make any decision on the possible consequences of Fenerbahe being banned until the CAS have ruled on the appeal, leaving Arsenal in the dark over whether they could be reinstated into the tournament if they were to lose over two legs but Fenerbahce were then thrown out.

Meanwhile, Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel believes his club will have a successful season in the Europa League after being drawn against Romanian side Petrolul Ploiesti in the play-off round.

He said: “I think our squad are very, very good this season compared to the last two seasons.

“There is a lot of competition which can only help us. But it depends - you have to have a bit of luck with the draws, what group are you in.”