Arsene Wenger coy over Wilfried Zaha deal, insisting £150m sponsorship money will be spent 'in the right way'

Wenger has money to spend, but that's no guarantee he'll splash out

Simon Rice
Tuesday 27 November 2012 16:45 GMT
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Wilfried Zaha is a graduate of Palace’s academy
Wilfried Zaha is a graduate of Palace’s academy (Getty Images)

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Arsene Wenger says the cash from Arsenal's new £150m sponsorship deal with Emirates will be spent “in the right way”, although not necessarily on Wilfried Zaha.

The Gunners, despite not winning a trophy since 2005, signed a fresh deal with long-term partners Emirates Airlines last week that will net the club around £30m a year.

Some of that revenue has been frontloaded to come in the current financial year and so increase Wenger's summer transfer budget, which has already been boosted by the £24m sale of former captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United.

Speaking about the 'war chest' available to him, Wenger insists Arsenal will not spend frivolously.

"If we get that amount of money from sponsors it is not charity, it is because the sponsors feel that we act in the right way and with the right values. They reward that," Wenger said.

"Afterwards it is down to us to spend the money in the right way.

"There are two aspects to any deal; one is the transfer [fee] and the other is the wages.

"The transfers for these kinds of players are not at £30million today, they are at £50million or £60million and what has gone through the roof is the wages of these players.

"That is why people plead for financial fair play. Some clubs even pleaded that the new television money (for Premier League clubs) should not be used to increase wages because it gives huge problems to everybody."

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Crystal Palace youngster Zaha although Wenger described him as "not more on the list than anybody else" when speaking today.

Thierry Henry may return for another loan spell but for Wenger it is simply about finding quality players who can boost his squad.

"If we find the real top, top, top player then we will be on the market," he added. "We have no fixed number, we look just at quality.

"We have a good squad, I believe that these players have a fantastic attitude. They deserve success and they will have success."

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