Gazidis” comments seem to contradict those of manager Arsene Wenger, who emphasised at the weekend that the Gunners were prepared to “spend big’ on the right target.
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Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has insisted the club are run in a “self-sustaining way” and will avoid trying to outspend their budget during this summer’s transfer window.
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Wenger said he was uncertain as to how long Mertesacker, 31, would be sidelined.
Roma stepped in and during two seasons with the Serie A club the Greece worldwide, who has won 24 caps for his country, has become a vital part of their defence. Their Premier League season begins in little over a fortnight. While you obviously need good center-back play, a good defensive midfielder means your back line doesn’t have to defend almost as much and they don’t have to defend in unsafe spots almost as much.
However, the Arsenal boss has revealed that the north London side are likely to reenter the market for another defender following Mertesacker’s injury.
While Arsenal fans have been reassured that an experienced defender is on the way, it’s critical that they get it done immediately for two reasons: first, to avoid having to field a depleted defence against Liverpool on the opening day and second, so that they can resume their hunt for a quality striker. They now have just Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel as options there, with a number of other players that can fill in, but even those two may not be ready for the start of the season, with the Frenchman recovering from his European Championship tournament and the Brazilian struggling with tonsillitis.
Wenger also confirmed another new signing, Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka, will play some part against the All-Stars following his big-money move from Borussia Monchengladbach earlier in the summer.
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According to local Valencia newspaper Valencia Plaza, Arsenal have made enquiries about 24-year-old centre back Shkodran Mustafi.
