Johan Djourou backs Wenger policy

Johan Djourou says Arsene Wenger’s critics should look at the ‘Invincibles’ side for evidence of how his transfer policy can work at Arsenal.

Wenger has come in for rare criticism over recent months as a season that promised so much once again collapsed at the crucial stage.

A Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham was followed by a Champions League exit in Barcelona and FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Manchester United, while too many costly draws and a defeat at Bolton ended any realistic Premier League title hopes.

Wenger was criticised in particular for not bring in more experienced defensive cover during January, with the jury still out on summer signing Sebastien Squillaci, but Djourou insists simply plunging into the transfer market is not always the answer.

He told Arsenal TV Online: “Of course you can add players if you wish, but the most important thing is making sure the players you have are progressing well together.

“I always look at ‘the Invincibles’. People forget sometimes, they say we have not won anything and we need to buy big players, but when the boss went to get Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Freddie Ljungberg people were saying ‘who are they?’.

“People were asking questions and look what happened.

“The criticism is not always fair and that is a great example to show it because those guys have become legends.

“Football is not always about buying the biggest players to bring you glory.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, confirmed on Tuesday that ticket prices would rise by an overall 6.5%, an announcement which was greeted with disdain by supporters groups.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis has written back to the Arsenal Supporters Trust in response to their letter calling for the proposed rise to be scrapped.

Gazidis admitted he shared fans’ disappointment at the general cost of modern-day football, and maintained the Gunners were working towards “reducing our reliance on the matchday fan as our biggest source of income”.

Writing to the AST, the Arsenal chief executive said: “I share your concerns that ordinary fans are being priced out of live football.

“This is bad for the continued health of the game and is driven primarily by escalating and ultimately unsustainable levels of spending on transfer fees and salaries.

“This is a fundamental issue that football needs to address and is why I have been a vocal supporter of UEFA’s proposals to bring more restraint and responsibility to spending within football.”