Wenger itching to unveil new Van

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Holland striker is currently sidelined by a muscular problem, and will miss both Saturday's early evening televised Barclays Premier League clash at Everton, as well as the visit of West Ham on New Year's Day.

However, Wenger said: "I believe it is a short-term problem, a muscular problem - but we need patience. When he comes back we can finish in a stronger position. He will be like a new signing - that is why we do not buy."

He added: "It is a small injury - but if you want to win a horse race you need your horse to be 100%.

"We have played 19 games and he has played eight, but we are still one point off the leader."

Wenger firmly believes his squad has enough strength in depth to last the pace in the title race this season and insists he would only take the "bargain of the century" when the transfer window opens in January.

Johan Djourou is set to return from his loan spell at Birmingham to bolster the defence, which will lose Kolo Toure to the African Nations Cup, as well as winger Emmanuel Eboue.

Wenger said: "We have Johan Djourou coming back from Birmingham, as we lose Kolo and Eboue too - but in midfield we have plenty of players who can play."

The Arsenal manager maintained: "We have a big squad. We won at Blackburn (in the Carling Cup) with 10 different players from the game we played before and I also did not have Van Persie, (Theo) Walcott or Gilberto. So we are not short.

"We are a very young squad, but a very talented one."