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Arsene Wenger's principles are holding Arsenal back in the transfer market - Usmanov
BILLIONAIRE Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov says it is Arsene Wenger's principles - not a lack of funds - that are preventing the Gunners signing more players.
Arsene Wenger is a man of principle
Wenger has admitted that he wanted to sign more players over the summer, and his failure to do so seems to have cost the north London side in the early going.
A defensive midfielder and central defender would appear to be on the shopping list in January, and Usmanov says he hopes that the club won't be held back by Wenger's philosophy.
He told CNBC's Geoff Cutmore: "I like Arsene for his principles. But principles are sort of restriction. And restrictions are always lost possibilities.
"That's why sometimes coaches even without principles became the coaches of great teams. And some coaches with principles lose because some positions in team are vacant because of ethical, moral or personal views.
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I like Arsene for his principles. But principles are sort of restriction. And restrictions are always lost possibilities.
"Does he have money or not? There is officially money in the club.
"How does he spend them - this decision investors have left with him.
"I wish them victories, because their victories are the victories of investors, including myself, and of great Arsenal fans, which deserve these victories."
It now remains to be seen how Wenger spends in January to address the Gunners issues as he looks to get their faltering Premier League campaign back on track.