Tuesday, 19th August, 2014
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is concerned about a lack of defensive cover, but is not yet close to adding to his squad.
The Gunners played out a 0-0 draw away in Turkey against Besiktas tonight, in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie against the Black Eagles.
Wenger, who sold Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona earlier this summer, was forced to play a defence of Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers, Laurent Kosicleny and Nacho Monreal.
And the Frenchman would like more options at the back, though he has confirmed the German trio of Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski are close to a return.
"We are a bit short at the back, yes you're right. I'm worried", he said via his club's site.
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"But we should have Mertesacker and Ozil and Podolski available again at the weekend. Let's hope they are in good shape when we go home."
Wenger also admitted that no imminent deals are on the horizon for the Gunners.
"Not at the moment, no. I have nothing special to add on that at the moment. Honestly, we are not close to signing anybody", he said.
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