Arsene Wenger responds to Arsenal spending jibe

Arsene Wenger jokingly mocked a suggestion by a journalist that he doesn't like to spend money - and invited him on a night out.

The Arsenal manager was criticised in the summer for his failure to sign a single outfield player ahead of the new season.

Arsenal were the only club in the top five European leagues not to do so.

The Gunners are currently suffering something of an injury crisis, with a number of first-team players sidelined as the season enters the hectic festive period.

Wenger doesn't like to buy in January but admitted his hand could be forced by the predicament the squad is currently in.

Presumably about to ask the Frenchman about his transfer plans, a reporter said to Wenger after Arsenal's 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb: "I know you don't like to spend money..."

Wenger immediately intervened with a huge grin on his face: "No I don't agree with you.

"And if I invite you [out] one night you will see that I like to spend money.

"It's you the press that gave me that reputation but my friends don't think that!"

Wenger is one of the highest paid managers in world football, earning a reported £8.3m-a-year in wages.