Arsene Wenger: Arsenal Ready to Pounce on Transfer Bargains When Financial Crisis Hits

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his club will clean up if and when the next financial crisis hits Europe. The Daily Mirror reports the wealthy Gunners are ready to pounce when cash-strapped clubs look to offload highly-paid stars.

"Economically the whole environment has changed and people suffer more," Wenger said. "The clubs will suffer more financially and it's much more difficult.

"Maybe we will have some opportunities because we are in a good financial situation."

The longtime Arsenal boss also said he might buy a striker when the transfer window opens on Jan. 1. He will lose the services of forward Gervinho (Ivory Coast) and striker Marouane Chamakh (Morocco) for the African Cup of Nations, which starts on Jan. 16. 

Arsenal is in such a healthy state partly because it operates on a self-sustaining financial model. It also has funds left over from the summer sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, which netted the club around £57 million ($88.5 million). 

Wenger has warned of a looming financial crisis in recent months. He believes many clubs are overly-dependent on debt to operate and will not be able continue on their current paths when the financial crisis hits Europe.