Gunners recruits must be 'special'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will consider signing only players of "a special class" during the transfer window.

Wenger is attempting to strengthen his squad and give Arsenal an injection of vitality as they bid to break into the Barclays Premier League top four. They are currently fifth, three points behind Aston Villa and Manchester United.

"At the moment I feel that if we do add somebody we need to add somebody who has a special class, because we have good players," he told www.arsenal.com. "[For example] take a player like (Aaron) Ramsey. They show that they grow. Of course they still show lapses, a lack of experience, but they have quality and they can grow quickly."

The French boss has been linked with the likes of Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and Everton's Mikel Arteta.

Wenger will not worry if his targets are cup-tied for this season's Champions League.

He said: "I would like to think longer term. If the right player comes in, even if he is not available for the Champions League, his class is more important for me."

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