Wenger and Platini want January window axed
Reuters - Friday 25 January 2013, 12:56
The January
transfer window should be abolished or at least limited because it is
unfair and distorts competitions, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and UEFA President Michel Platini said on Friday.
"I
think a lot of coaches are unhappy about it because they don't know if
they are going to end the competition with the same team they started
with," Platini told reporters at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
"I
think it's unacceptable when, in one part of the competition, a player
plays for team A against team B and, in the second half, he plays for
team B against team A."
"This
transfer window has been created to allow for a certain amount of
business in a few other situations, but I think overall it damages the
competitions."
His French compatriot Wenger agreed.
While
Arsenal have yet to make any new signings this month, fellow Premier
League side Newcastle United have been busy with purchases including
French players Massadio Haidara, Mathieu Debuchy, Yoan Gouffran and
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
"I think it [January transfers] should all be completely cut out or limited to two players," Wenger told a news conference.
"It's
unfair for the league, some teams who have played for example Newcastle
now twice already have an advantage on teams who play Newcastle now
they have bought six or seven players.
"You do not face exactly the same team so I believe the number of players you could buy should be limited."
Wenger did not rule out bringing in new players in this window but reckoned it was not necessary for the club.
"If someone else can strengthen our squad, we will do it of course, but we have the resources inside to do well," he said.
"We have two players in every position, that should be enough, plus the young players in behind.
"But if we find the top-class players in any position, we never refuse to strengthen our squad."
He pointed out fundamental flaws in the mid-season transfer window.
"It
is a wrong transfer market. The only teams who sell players are teams
who are in financial trouble who sell or players who are unhappy where
they are," he said.
Arsenal,
who are sixth in the Premier League, will turn their attention to the FA
Cup this weekend when they head to Championship Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round.
They
will be without injured captain Thomas Vermaelen who sustained a minor
ankle injury in Wednesday's 5-1 thumping of West Ham United in the
league but will welcome back midfielders Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky.
"[Vermaelen's
injury] is short term. It got a bit worse yesterday so we will not
gamble on him," Wenger said.