'We were close to one more signature' - Arsenal boss Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed the club almost completed a second signing prior to the January transfer deadline.

The Gunners brought in Spanish left back Nacho Monreal from Malaga in a late deal worth around 8 million pounds, following an injury to Kieran Gibbs that will see him sidelined for up to six weeks.

The North London outfit was also heavily linked with Barcelona forward David Villa and West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame throughout the window, though moves for those players never materialized.

Wenger admitted that one other final transfer was near completion, though he did not name any names, and he insisted it was not a lack of money that scuppered the signing.

"We were close to one more signature," Wenger told reporters. "It did not happen because of the desire of the clubs to sell or not sell. It is only linked with that.



"It was not a money problem, it was more a desire from other clubs to keep their players."

Wenger has declared himself "delighted" with the capture of Monreal, and has now stressed that, although the Gunners can always improve, his side has enough ability and quality.


“I believe that we have top quality in our squad and that is what we want to show until the end of the season," Wenger said. “We have some aspects of our game that we need to improve and how active we will be in the market in the summer will be decided by how well we do now until the end of the season.”