Arsene Wenger defends Arsenal's transfer policy again

Arsene Wenger has defended his decision not to sign another striker and insists he didn't lie about Danny Welbeck's injury problems.

The Gunners were strongly linked with a move for Real Madrid frontman Karim Benzema, but Petr Cech was the only senior player through the door at the Emirates this summer.

Arsenal's attacking options were limited even more after Welbeck was ruled out until Christmas with a knee injury.

But boss Wenger said: “Whether we have players injured or not doesn’t change the problem, that's what I don’t understand from the media.

“First of all I am surprised that people accused me of lying when I was in the press conference on Friday morning [before the transfer deadline], I did not know Welbeck had a bad setback.

“I did not lie to you, I gave you the information I had. I heard late on Friday night that his condition had not evolved as well as we thought it was and he had needed specialist and needed further investigation. Apart from that, if we did not find someone [to sign], we did not find them.

“We were ready to do something, but you have to be convinced that it’s not just to please people, that it’s an efficient solution. And the efficient solution didn’t turn up. As well you have to be brave enough to say no.”

Olivier Giroud was booed on international duty by French fans this week, but will get another opportunity to lead the Arsenal attack.

Theo Walcott will also get more chances through the middle due to Welbeck's absence.

Wenger added: “Let’s not be naive as well - these players have experience, they are 28 and 26 years old and they know the job, they know what to do, they are ambitious, they have the quality.

"I think as well to support the club and support the team is to stand behind the players.

“It is not always expecting someone coming down from heaven to sort out all your problems. Support is believing in the players in the squad and this is a good opportunity to do that for our supporters.”