Facing the media, Arsène Wenger knows exactly what he’s going to be asked about and Thursday’s press conference was no different.
The press gathered at London Colney to preview Arsenal’s game against Chelsea on Sunday but, with it being January, transfer gossip will never be far from the back pages.
Asked about the end of the window, the boss said the journalists will be busy but he won’t be.
“Yes, you will certainly have some work to do in the next 10 days. Not necessarily with Arsenal but with other clubs,” said the Frenchman.
Arsenal have already completed the signing of Mohamed Elneny this month, but it looks like no more business will be done by Wenger as he looks to seal a first Premier League title since 2004.
News that Francis Coquelin is back in full training and will supposedly soon be joined by Danny Welbeck means Wenger is justified in not entering the market for a quick fix. Alexis Sánchez could make the squad to face Chelsea and the Gunners will look stronger than they have all season should all of these players return.
That, however, isn’t to say there’s no way we’ll make a signing.
“We are always open for the exceptional occasion,” Wenger admitted, as he has done so many times. “It can be a long-term exceptional opportunity but at the moment I expect our last 10 days to be quiet.”
There’s clearly nothing on the table right now, and it seems safe to say the Gunners will only be tempted to add to the squad if there are injuries or setbacks in the next week or so. ‘Exceptional’ talents don’t just randomly come about in January, so expect to see us end the season with the squad we already have.