Arsenal supremo Arsene Wenger has again insisted that his team-building policy, which eschews the “Manchester City way” of big spending, is the right way forward for Arsenal as the January 2011 transfer window opened this week.

Wenger’s team were unable to break down a resilient City outfit in the EPL this week, after seeing in the New Year with an impressive 3-0 win at Birmingham City last Saturday evening.

They are tucked into third place in the EPL, well-placed to challenge the two Manchester clubs despite their midweek frustrations.

 

And their quest to end a five-year trophyless run could take two significant steps forward in the coming seven days, as they face Football League championship clubs in both Carling and FA Cups.

Wenger justified his continuing cautious transfer policy, saying: “You can do it (Manchester City’s) way, buying the best players in the world. What I want to show is that it works our way as well.”

Wenger has ruled out significant squad additions. He said: “Midfield and up front, no,” before adding that the long-term Achilles injury to centre-back Thomas Vermaelen may cause a minor re-think. Wenger added: “I am just waiting to know more about him and then at the end of January we will have to make a decision.”

One addition to the squad will be midfielder Aaron Ramsey. The 20-year-old was on loan at Championship side Nottingham Forest. The loan expired this week and although Forest were keen to keep the Welshman, Wenger insisted: “Ramsey will definitely come back,” although he admitted: “He’s not completely ready, but he should be in February.”

Wenger added: “He did not get the number of games he, or we, wanted, because of the snow.”

Ramsey has returned because of fellow midfielder Abou Diaby’s calf strain at Wigan last week. Wenger said of the 24-year-old Frenchman: “He is out for a while, some weeks I think.” Diaby had just returned from a lengthy absence with an ankle injury.

Arsenal face Championship high-flyers Leeds United in the FA Cup on Saturday, with Wenger saying there are going to be “changes, many changes” to his line-up.

Full-back Bacary Sagna will be suspended following his dismissal against Manchester City this week and will also miss the Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Ipswich next Wednesday and the EPL trip to West Ham. Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie also look set to be rested.