Wenger says no move for Suarez
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, August 23, 2013
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has conceded defeat in his pursuit of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after declaring there is "no chance" the Uruguayan will move to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal has had two bids for Suarez rejected during the current transfer window and, speaking after his side won 3-0 at Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Champions League playoff, Wenger said it would not be making another offer.
"(There is) absolutely no chance of that," Wenger said, in remarks widely reported in the British media yesterday.
A number of British media outlets claim that Arsenal has expressed an interest in signing Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria.
The London club has also had a bid for Newcastle United's France international midfielder Yohan Cabaye rejected.
Wenger would not be drawn on the identity of his transfer targets, but confirmed that the club is working to bring in new players. "We tried to bring one in, but we are working on that. You have to understand there is still a long way to go," he said.
"The transfer market starts for me now and a lot of activity will happen between now and September 2."
Arsenal outclassed Fenerbahce in Istanbul to take control of its Champions League playoff tie as the five home teams failed to win in Wednesday's first leg.
Schalke 04 was held 1-1 at home by Greek side PAOK, Egyptian 21-year-old Mohamed Salah scored twice to lead FC Basel to a 4-2 win at Ludogorets Razgad and Austria Vienna won 2-0 at 10-man Dinamo Zagreb.
Steaua Bucharest, the only former champion in action on Wednesday, was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Legia Warsaw.
Arsenal travelled to Turkey under a cloud after opening its English Premier League campaign with a 1-3 home defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.
But it proved far too strong for a poor Fenerbahce side.
Kieran Gibbs turned in Theo Walcott's low cross in the 51st minute before Aaron Ramsey scored with a 20-meter shot and Oliver Giroud completed the scoring with a penalty.
Fenerbahce was banned from the European competition over a domestic match-fixing case but re-admitted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport pending an appeal. The decision is due to be announced on August 28, one day after the second leg.
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