Latest Arsenal transfer news: Benzema hope, Wilshere's Wenger threat…

It’s not the pain that we cannot stand, it’s the hope.

That used to be the tongue-in-cheek refrain of Arsenal’s greatest rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, but now, the Gunners may well have to borrow the line.

First the hope of a huge transfer kitty at Arsene Wenger’s disposal.
Then promise of Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Gustavo to come.

Nothing happened.

Now, the hope that a 3-1 defeat to AstonVilla, at home no less, will spur Wenger into a last-minute buying frenzy.

Then the promise, at least in the media, that Karim Benzema of Real Madrid might be the man to revive trophy-winning dreams at the Emirates.
Will there just be more pain?

Arsenal will hope to carry the momentum from their mid-week Champions League victory over Fenerbahce into their trip to London rivals Fulham on Saturday.

Arsenal have they planted one foot in the Champions League group phase by winning 3-0 in Istanbul on Wednesday, and winger Theo Walcott says the setback against Villa is now out of their system.

"You don't want to start a season like that, but that's out of the window now," he said.

Wilshere threat

Jack Wilshere has launched a vigorous defence of under-fire Wenger and warned he would consider leaving if the Frenchman were to quit the club.
Wenger has been heavily criticised by Gunners fans after failing to make any significant signings since the end of last season.

Offers for Gonzalo Higuain, Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez and Luiz Gustavo were all snubbed and that created a poisonous atmosphere as fans vented their frustrations during Saturday's 3-1 home defeat against Aston Villa.

Some pundits feel Wenger is likely to walk away from the Emirates Stadium if the criticism continues, but Wilshere responded by revealing he might be forced to go as well if that were the case.

"I want to win things with Arsenal and I want to be there in the future, but if the boss leaves then things could change," Wilshere told Zapsportz.com.

"Arsenal are always in my heart and by signing a deal for the next five years shows my commitment to them and their commitment to me so at the moment everything is good.

"Arsene Wenger has been there for so many years and he's always delivered trophies.

"OK we've had a little dip in the last five or six years, but he's a great manager and people who question his ability are ridiculous.

"He's qualified for the Champions League for 16 years so I think he's the right man for the job."

"We have lost a few strong, big-name players in recent years and that's hard for any club," Wilshere added.

"First we lost Thierry Henry and then Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie.

"That's hard, especially when Robin went to another team in England, it makes it harder for us to compete.

"But now we've got a good crop of young English players coming through and if we stay together and build something then we can win a trophy in the next few years."

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