Arsene Wenger insists strengthening squad is not easy, takes swipe at Tottenham

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that it will not be easy for the Gunners to strengthen their squad in the summer transfer window.

The north London club have been eliminated from the FA Cup and the Champions League, while they have struggled in the Premier League. They were one of the firm title contenders this term and now sit 13 points behind league leaders Leicester City, who have played one match more than Arsenal.

Despite this, Wenger suggests that his side are going forward in the right direction. The Frenchman, even suggested the Emirates club must take caution in retaining his side's core players.

"We have to strengthen, but it is not obvious, despite the money the English clubs will have, to find the players who will strengthen your squad," Wenger said, as reported by Sky Sports.

"We will, of course, work very hard to do that and we are already working, but we have to find the players. It's not easy. If you look at the top three, you'll see that the teams have not changed a lot.

"You need to keep a core of players and strengthen where we can, but the team is going the right way. It's at the moment difficult for us to accept we're not completely there, but you have to accept that."

Mohamed Elneny was the only addition made to the squad in the January transfer window. The Egyptian international and Alex Iwobi have impressed for the Gunners in the second half of the season and Wenger claims rate on the African midfielder at the end of the season.

"You cannot dismiss the players. We spoke about Iwobi, he's 19 years of age, Elneny 23, [Francis] Coquelin 24 - they will be stronger," the French coach said.

"I will judge (Elneny) at the end of the season, but for sure he's had a big impact, much bigger than expected because usually a guy comes in, it takes him a few months to adapt, and him and Iwobi had a big impact on the quality of our game."

Arsenal manager even took a swipe at Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs are second in the league table with 65 points from 33 matches, six points ahead of Wenger's side, who have a game in hand.

"First of all, we are not behind yet. Tottenham have been 18 years behind us, they survived you know, so let's be realistic," he explained.

"If Leicester win on Sunday, it doesn't change the fact that we have absolutely to win our game. Let's prepare for that, no matter what the result of Leicester is."