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Arsene Wenger has sensationally revealed that Arsenal almost had a mass exodus of players in the summer, but still feels that the team have what it takes to qualify for the next year's Champions League.
Arsenal lost three of their best players in Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy in the summer, and Wenger claims it could easily have been more.
"It was a very difficult summer because half the dressing room wanted to leave," Wenger told RTL.
Wenger also refused to believe that the ones who left did so to win trophies and suggested that some of the moves were financially motivated.
"No, it's not that [players have to leave to win titles]," said Wenger. "The problem isn't that. Frankly, if you compare what Manchester City have won in the past and what Arsenal have won, then you don't go to Manchester City to win titles.
"Players go to Manchester City because they pay much better than Arsenal.
"They are a force clearly, because they have exceptional financial clout, so it's not surprising what they've done. Look at Paris Saint-Germain. They have more money than anyone else in France and they're top of the league.
âThere's always a financial logic behind who ends up being successful in any league. If Barcelona or Real Madrid paid three times less than Malaga, players would go to Malaga. That's always the case. It's as simple as that.
"So when a player has the choice between two clubs who have the same ambitions, if he can earn three times as much at one club, he'll go there. That's logical."
Despite a long injury to Jack Wilshere, Wenger is still confident that Arsenal can challenge for fourth spot.
"You're preparing for a season where you don't know who's going to come in, the players who are staying are asking themselves what's going on at the club, you've got a pre-season tour of Asia. It was extraordinarily difficult.
"What saved us is that we're a club that are extremely solid and united. Other clubs would surely have gone to pieces in those circumstances.
âWhat people forget is that we lost three key players because we've also lost Wilshere. Three who were important in our midfield. Nasri, Fabregas and Wilshere have all been lost and they were the basis of our midfield last season.
âWe've had to reconstruct our midfield entirely because Wilshere won't be back until January. Still, we've disappointed this season so far, given what's expected of us, but I think we're on the up again. The problem is you can only climb the table slowly. We're not too far away in terms of points from fourth place. We're too far away [12 and 10 points] from the top two."
Captain Robin van Persie's refusal to comment on his future has also put Wenger in a spot. However, Wenger believes that the situation will sort itself out and is nothing to worry about at present.
"Today I'm not asking myself whether Van Persie is going to extend his contract in 18 months' time," said Wenger. "For me what is important is that he plays well for us on Wednesday. After that the next match.
âThat's how I think. He's scored 28 goals in 34 games, so they're exceptional statistics. He's got a contract for another 18 months and he's a man who is attached to our club. I'm not especially thinking about losing him."
Written by Nikunj Merchant
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