Wenger: Financial crisis may hit the transfer market

Arsenal boss is speaking of worldwide financial crisis could possibly hit the transfer market, and the economy may have an influence on any club dealings when transfer window opens in January

The world's wealthiest club Manchester City may be exempt to the rule, as the Abu Dhabi based business group reportedly paid Real Madrid £32 million for Robinho in just one installment.

For the rest of the Premier League though the credit crunch may effect the football market when the transfer window reopens in January.

Credit Crunch

"Football might not be an isolated island where nothing happens financially," Wenger told journalists at Thursday's pre-match press conference.

"Football will suffer just as much as any other activity in our society.

"We will see," the Frenchman continued. "It is very difficult to anticipate on that. I don’t know what will happen in January. We are in a world of recession and at the moment we have deflation rather than inflation."

Arsenal have been rocked with further injury trouble as Theo Walcott returned from England international duty with a dislocated shoulder that is expected to sideline the pacey winger until March and there have been calls for Wenger to buy replacement in the new year.

Meanwhile, tall defender Daniel Van Buyten, Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour, and Atletico Madrid defensive midfielder Koke Resurreccion have all been linked with a move to north London.