Wenger – We are not after Stones

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that his side are not interested in signing John Stones.

The statement comes after links over the last week between the Gunners and the Everton central defender, with Wenger supposedly interested in a bid upwards of £32m for the 21-year-old.

Stones was heavily linked with a move to London rivals Chelsea last summer and even handed a transfer request in, although it was rejected by Roberto Martinez. Since then, the England international has put his head down and concentrated on his performances, proving that he is one of the best up and coming talents in world football.

Wenger, however, admitted he is focused solely on Saturday’s game against Sunderland.

I ask my players to focus on tomorrow’s game. I didn’t ask the board anything. It’s not the board who buys the players.

We are not after John Stones if that’s what you want to know, we are focused on tomorrow’s game.

The Gunners boss did claim that if the ‘right solution’ appears, he would be open to signing in January.

At the moment, I’m more focused on responding tomorrow [than signing players]. I gave the answer last week in the press conference that we will be of course open and look outside. At the moment, what is more important is to show how strong we are mentally with what happened to us, and that we respond in a very positive way. We are at the beginning of December. December is a very important month for us.

Your phone is busy every day from people who propose players, so that’s an aspect. We have a team inside our club who select what’s coming in, what we see. We are well organised on that front. The most important thing for us is the competitive side of our games and to win football games.

Despite a number of injuries at the club perhaps forcing Wenger’s hand in the upcoming window, the Frenchman stated he doesn’t feel any pressure to sign.

I’m so used to it that I don’t feel anymore what is extra pressure or pressure. I think you just want to do well and make the right decision for your club, for your team, no matter what kind of pressure you are under. That will not change.