EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal could splash cash again in January - former star

JOHN HARTSON reckons Arsene Wenger could splash the cash again in January.

By Alex Wood / Published 19th October 2016

SIGNINGS: Wenger had a busy summer

The Frenchman spent big on Granit Xhaka, Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi over the summer.

And Hartson thinks Wenger might sign more reinforcements in the New Year if Arsenal are still in the title race.

“There’s money there,” said Hartson who was speaking behind the scenes at BT Sport Score.

“If he’s in and around the top three come January and they just need that other player that’ll cost them £30m to £40m, I think they’ve got the capacity to do that.

“Wenger knows that he has to get closer to the title.

“Arsenal will challenge this season and they’re going the right way about it.

“I don’t think he feels he’ll be there forever and he wants to go out on a high.

“That’s why I think he went big in the summer and spent around £90m.

ADDITIONS: Hartson says Wenger could delve into the market again

But Hartson thinks the Premier League heavyweights have a tough decision to make if Wenger decides to call it quits after two decades in the Gunners hot seat.

Hartson added: “Who’s going to come in and do better?

“I think 12 years without a title is too long – and that’s unacceptable.

“But I also think in his first 10 years he did a remarkable job.

“His Champions League record is better than any other – 18 years consecutively qualifying.

“The finances that he’s brought into the club – two FA Cups in the last three years, whatever it is.

“I think Wenger has earned the right to leave Arsenal whenever he wants to leave.

“It might be a conversation where he goes upstairs, or something like that.

 

“Eddie Howe would be great if you’re going to go English.

“Or the lad at Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone, got them into two Champions League finals.

“He’s got the record there in terms of what he’s achieved.

“But my message to fans would be: ‘Stick with Wenger.’”