Wenger: We can win the league without any more signings

Arsene Wenger delivered a worrying message for Arsenal fans after claiming he does not need to make any more signings to launch a title challenge.

The Arsenal boss is under pressure from fed-up supporters who are anxious for big-money signings to strengthen the squad for next season’s Premier League campaign after finishing 11 points adrift last term. But Wenger says they are already strong enough to compete with Chelsea, Manchester United and big-spending Manchester City.

He is looking to make new signings with Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer and Werder Bremen’s Germany World Cup defender Per Mertesacker top of his short list.

But Wenger has resisted making a big splash as he has only spent £8million on French defender Laurent Koscielny while striker Marouane Chamakh arrived on a free transfer from Bordeaux.

Wenger said: “Do I think we have a team to play at the top? Looking at the players we have, yes.

“Financial consideration does not come into it. I judge whether the players are good enough in the championship.

“It is whether the clubs have better players or lesser players and we can compete with the players we have.

“You look at our squad and we have two internationals in every ­position.

“We have to remind ourselves we decided to go with a very young team three or four years ago and we have developed this team. I believe that two years ago we were quite far but last year in April we were two points away from the top.

“Normally we should be closer again because that development is part of a young team.

“I know that in England when you do not win the championship it’s always about buying but what is important is that we improve ­individually and as a team because we are a very young team.

“We are not a team that is at the end of a cycle, we are at the start of a cycle. So our future will be decided not by who we buy or need but as well by how much we improve.”

Wenger admitted he is looking for a new centre half after losing William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos while Sol ­Campbell has joined Newcastle.

Arsenal have had two bids turned down for Everton’s Phil Jagielka and now Germany defender Mertesacker is top of his wanted list with a back-up plan including Ajax’s Jan Vertonghen and Dynamo Kiev’s Senegalese defender Pape Diakhate. Wenger was also coy on his pursuit of veteran Schwarzer, refusing to confirm he had a £2m bid turned down even though his chairman Peter Hill-Wood has admitted they failed with an offer.

When asked if he wanted another centre half, Wenger said: “Ideally yes. We have lost Silvestre, Campbell and Gallas and have only signed Koscielny. (Johan) Djourou is coming back so you could say we have got two but are still two short.” But Wenger has admitted: “There will be more teams fighting for the title next season.

“It makes it more interesting and open as well – we have seen the start of that last season as well, all of the top teams lost points against the second part of the Premier League.

“That trend could even become stronger. There are the three who dominated last year, then you have Spurs, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa and you also have one team who is a surprise at the start of the season.”

Arsenal will be without Robin van Persie and Fabregas for this weekend’s Emirates Cup after they were given an extended break following the World Cup while Abou Diaby, Alex Song and Denilson are injured.

But Wenger will give Arsenal’s home crowd their first glimpse of new striker Chamakh against AC Milan, who they play today, and in tomorrow’s game with Celtic.