Wenger hits out at Spanish press

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Just like Cesc Fabregas before him, Van Persie - who has yet to commit to a new, long-term deal - has been heavily linked with a move to Spain. An article in Friday's Marca newspaper quoted the 28-year-old as claiming it would be "an honour" to be linked with Real Madrid, and he would be "excited at the prospect of playing there".

"Frankly, Marca is as creative as some English newspapers. That means you cannot believe every word that is said in Marca," the Arsenal manager said.

"At Marca they are very creative. They have created another story. They don't care, Marca, at all. I think they are even far more from real evidence than any English newspapers. They just create stories."

Wenger maintained there had been no contact from Barcelona or Real Madrid over Van Persie, and if they did, they would be given short shrift.

"What do you think? Barcelona knows that they have a difficult job with us, always," he said.

Arsenal made little moves in what was a fairly stagnant January transfer window compared to previous seasons. Wenger believes that is down to the "absolutely crazy" Premier League 25-man squad rules, which the Gunners boss claims will "paralyse the market".

The Gunners boss said: "You see nothing happened in the January transfer window, because everybody has 25 so if nobody buys nobody else can buy.

"It makes common sense when they [Premier League] sit together there at the table, but they must never have really experienced what it is to take a risk or gamble on players.

"If I have to buy a player, I have to kick somebody out."