Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will profit on the pitch from European football’s new financial restrictions in 2011/12
The Gunners boss said the likes of Manchester City cannot be criticised for spending big under current rules.
“You can do it their way, buying the best players in the world. What I want to show is it works our way as well.”
The Frenchman, who prefers to develop young talent over expensive signings, added: “It is supposed to change [in 2012], then we will see.”
Governing body Uefa’s new rules, under which clubs must break even over a rolling three-year period if they want to play in the Champions League or the Europa League, will be phased in from the 2011/2012 season.
It means that clubs hoping to compete in those competitions will only be allowed to incur losses of around £39m over any three-season period.
606: DEBATE
We can seriously dent City’s title credentials and put ourselves in a really good position to push for the title towards the second half of the season
benmonty
Since buying Manchester City in 2008, the club’s Abu Dhabi-based owners have invested around £1bn in their attempts to gatecrash football’s elite.
Wenger, whose team face Roberto Mancini’s City side at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, said: “What is fantastic in football is there is no given formula [for success].
“I personally am a big fan of the way we do it, so I try to be successful with that.
“The real, true test would be that everybody has exactly the same resources,” said Wenger, whose side last won a trophy in 2005.
“Give £100m to all the 20 clubs in the Premier League and say ‘Let’s go’. Then you can say at the end of the year the best club has won.”
Arsenal can overhaul City with a win on Wednesday, but while Mancini is close to signing £30m striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg, Wenger is cautious over adding to his squad in the January transfer window.
“Midfield and up front, no, but at the back it just depends on Thomas Vermaelen [currently out with an Achilles injury].
“I am just waiting to know more about him and then at the end of January will have to make a decision.”
