London, Aug 09: Arsenal have been put in the shade by their rivals in the summer transfer market.
But as the curtain rises on a new English season this weekend, Arsene Wenger is confident his squad will not be outshone on the pitch.
The financial restrictions imposed by the Gunners' Plan to move to a 400-million-pound (644-million-dollar) new stadium mean Wenger has had to stand and watch as Manchester United, Liverpool and, above all, Chelsea have spent millions introducing new blood into their squads.
But despite having to limit his own spending to the acquisition of a new goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, and two teenage defenders, Wenger insists he is happy with the players he has at his disposal.
"Ideally, I wish the club had more money because we could build a new stadium without depending on the banks," the Frenchman admitted ahead of tomorrow's community shield clash between his FA cup winners and premiership champions Manchester United.

"But, player-wise, I'm happy with what I have.

"Apart from David Seaman, we have pretty much the same players as last season. In fact, we've had much the same squad for the last two seasons and of the four major domestic trophies available in that time we've won three and just missed the other. So, I have no reason to be pessimistic.
Bureau Report