Wednesday 27 August 2014 12:49, UK
Arsene Wenger has insisted Arsenal will not panic buy to sign a striker, if Olivier Giroud is ruled out for a lengthy spell.
Arsenal are waiting to learn the full extent of the ankle injury Giroud suffered in last weekend’s draw at Everton amid fears the France international could be out until the New Year.
If Giroud is sidelined for the first half of the season, Wenger has been tipped to move for a new striker, with the likes of Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck and Queens Park Rangers’ Loic Remy linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
We have plenty of players at centre-forward. In England as soon as you have a problem, people want you to buy.
However, with less than a week to go before the transfer window closes, Wenger will not be forced into signing a replacement for Giroud.
"We have plenty of players at centre-forward. In England as soon as you have a problem, people want you to buy," he said.
"Unfortunately, I can give you some clubs that every time they lose a game they say they might need to buy more.
"I've learnt one thing in our job - you say nothing categorically."
Arsenal face Besiktas in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off on Wednesday night, with the first leg in Turkey having finished 0-0.
Summer signing Alexis Sanchez could operate as the lone striker against Besiktas, although doubts have been raised over his ability to perform the role.
Sanchez was replaced at half-time at Everton after being the focal point of Arsenal's attack, but Wenger is convinced he can operate as more than a winger.
"You do not convict a player on one half. It was not all bad what he did, there was some quality in what he did," Wenger said.
"It was just that on the day we needed more physical presence. When you're 2-0 down you don't play counter attack."
Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell are also options, although it is the former, who missed out against Everton because of a hamstring injury, who is most likely to start.
Wenger, who ruled out Podolski leaving in the transfer window, is confident he has the options to cover for Giroud's absence in the second leg of the qualifier at the Emirates Stadium.
"Yes of course, why should I not have that confidence?" Wenger said.
"Nobody can imagine that when one player is missing, no matter how big the player is, the team can't win a game anymore."
