The Gunners boss distanced himself from a loan move for the Juventus forward but added that he is looking at possibilities and hopes to announce something exciting
By James Goldman at the Emirates Stadium
Arsene Wenger has denied Arsenal are poised to bolster their squad with the signing of Juventus forward Mirko Vucinic.
The Gunners maintained their position at the top of the table thanks to a 2-0 win over Fulham but are lacking adequate cover for their leading striker Olivier Giroud, who endured a difficult afternoon against Brede Hangeland and debutant Dan Burn.
Montenegro international Vucinic has been heavily linked with a loan move to the Premier League leaders but Wenger insists he is not close to sealing a deal for the 30-year-old.
“We are looking at potential possibilities to get somebody in, admitted Wenger. “But we’re not specifically looking at Vucinic. Some people have visual capacities that I don’t have. We are not on any special case I would love to announce something exciting for you.”
Arsenal were forced to wait for the breakthrough by a determined and well organised Fulham side who handed a Premier League debut to 21-year-old centre-half Burn.
After a frustrating first half the Gunners eventually made the breakthrough after Santi Cazorla rounded off a superbly engineered move with an emphatic finish in the 57th minute.
The Spaniard has rarely been at his best this season but wrapped up the points five minutes later with a low left-footed shot and his manager is confident the former Malaga star is now ready to make a telling contribution as the season moves into a decisive stage.
Wenger added: “He had been out for a long time at the start of the season then he had an ankle problem. Only since mid December has he come back to his level. When you play in the final third like he does he can create something special because he is two footed and that makes him very dangerous.”
A return to form for Cazorla would prove a timely boost to Arsenal’s title charge, which has also been enhanced in recent weeks by the return from injury of Lukas Podolski.
The German produced a lively cameo from the bench in the second half and Wenger admits the Germany international has been frustrated at having to wait for his chance with Serge Gnabry prefered in recent weeks.
“Of course [he is frustrated] but Lukas has a fantastic attitude, he has been out for four months but he looks sharp now and when he comes on he gives us something. His left foot is very dangerous. In front of goal you leave him one chance… he doesn’t hit it in the stand.”
Despite succumbing to their third loss in four Premier League games Fulham coach Rene Meulensteen believes there were enough positives to take from Saturday’s defeat to suggest his side are capable of beating the drop.
He said: “I think we can survive. The spirit is very good and there’s plenty of quality in the squad. I’ve only been here a short time here with these players and we’re improving, working hard but without a shadow of a doubt we need a break where we get a run of results.”