Arsène Wenger told to spend, spend, spend after Aston Villa defeat
Arsenal manager gets hostile reaction from fans after 3-1 home loss
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said he is prepared to strengthen his squad before the end of the transfer window after facing a hostile reaction to yesterday's 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. Wenger was booed by some fans, who held up banners calling on him to "spend, spend, spend" as frustration at Arsenal's lack of transfer activity grows. More immediately they face a crucial Champions' League qualifying round against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Wednesday with six of yesterday's stating XI doubtful through injury.
On yesterday's crowd reaction, Wenger said: "I know how people respond to a defeat like that. Could we have won the game with the players we had on the pitch today? I say yes. We want our fans to be happy and we are ready to buy players if we find players good enough for us."
Wenger then criticised yesterday's referee. "I didn't like his performance, but more than that, the spirit of it," he said of Anthony Taylor, who gave Villa two penalties that resulted in goals, and sent off Laurent Koscielny for two yellow cards.
"The linesman told me he didn't give a penalty and he was at the level of [Koscielny's] tackle, so why does the referee suddenly give it?" Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bacary Sagna all had to be substituted with serious looking injuries and there are doubts about Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey for Wednesday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments