Arsene Wenger never considered Raheem Sterling as Arsenal manager says 'we've got plenty of players in his position'

By Matt Barlow

Published: 06:17 EST, 13 July 2015 | Updated: 10:15 EST, 13 July 2015

Arsene Wenger has claimed that Raheem Sterling's record transfer had been on the cards for some time and never considered joining the race for the England winger.

Wenger and his Arsenal squad arrived in Singapore ahead of the Barclays Asia Trophy to find some of his main title rivals had completed some big-money deals in the transfer market.

Manchester United tied up the transfers of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian, while Sterling left Liverpool for Manchester City for £49million, the highest fee ever paid for a British player.

The Arsenal team line up ahead of their pre-season tour where they will compete in the Barclays Asia Trophy this week

The Arsenal team line up ahead of their pre-season tour where they will compete in the Barclays Asia Trophy this week

Arsenal fans in Singapore came in their droves as they cheer the team bus following its departure from Changi airport

Arsenal fans in Singapore came in their droves as they cheer the team bus following its departure from Changi airport

Arsenal players appreciated the support and waved to the fans upon leaving the airport

Arsenal players appreciated the support and waved to the fans upon leaving the airport

Supporters captured the Arsenal team with their phones and cameras as the  players looked on from the team coach

Supporters captured the Arsenal team with their phones and cameras as the  players looked on from the team coach

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger puts his hand out to supporters after leaving the airport on the team coach

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger puts his hand out to supporters after leaving the airport on the team coach

ARSENAL PRE-SEASON FIXTURES

July 15: Singapore XI (Barclays Asia Trophy - Singapore National Stadium, Kallang) 1.30pm

July 18: Everton or Stoke (Barclays Asia Trophy - Singapore National Stadium, Kallang) TBA

July 25: Lyon (Emirates Cup - Emirates Stadium) 4.20pm

July 26: Wolfsburg (Emirates Cup - Emirates Stadium) 4.20pm

August 2: Chelsea (Community Shield - Wembley Stadium) 3pm

All dates and times BST 

'It looked a done deal for a while because Sterling was adamant he wanted the move,' said Wenger. 'For me Sterling is a top-class player. It is a good buy for Man City. It is an expensive one but they can afford it.

'Personally I like Raheem Sterling. We never considered it because he plays in an area where we have plenty of players. We have Walcott, Chamberlain, Sanchez, Wilshere who can play wide, Gnabry, so we have plenty of players. He's a wide player basically, or behind the striker.

'I don't think it is a surprise because they go to the clubs where the money is.'

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal made four additions to his squad with the new trio joining Memphis Depay at Old Trafford.

Wenger added: 'We knew Man United would not be happy to finish outside the top three and that they would respond. They have made interesting buys.

'They came out of the season thinking they had to replace their midfield and they did it by buying two important players – Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin.

'They are two top-class players, one who goes up to the top level and one who has done it all. So it will be interesting to see how they mix with the others.'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stands at the front as the team pose for a picture before leaving Stansted Airport

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger stands at the front as the team pose for a picture before leaving Stansted Airport

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain runs to collect a bag before boarding the plane ahead of its departure to Singapore

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain runs to collect a bag before boarding the plane ahead of its departure to Singapore

Arsenal players including Theo Walcott and Calum Chambers were greeted by club mascot Gunnersaurus after landing in Singapore 

Arsenal players including Theo Walcott and Calum Chambers were greeted by club mascot Gunnersaurus after landing in Singapore 

The pre-season tour will give Arsenal youngsters including Dan Crowley (left), Chris Willock (centre) and Alex Iwobi a chance to impress

The pre-season tour will give Arsenal youngsters including Dan Crowley (left), Chris Willock (centre) and Alex Iwobi a chance to impress

New Arsenal signing Petr Cech (right) follows striker Olivier Giroud after arriving at the Changi Airport

New Arsenal signing Petr Cech (right) follows striker Olivier Giroud after arriving at the Changi Airport

Chambers and Walcott will be among the Arsenal stars playing in the club's Far East tour

Chambers and Walcott will be among the Arsenal stars playing in the club's Far East tour

Wenger addresses the media upon his arrival in Singapore as he looks ahead to the Barclays Asia Trophy

Wenger addresses the media upon his arrival in Singapore as he looks ahead to the Barclays Asia Trophy

Arsenal's only recruit of the summer so far is the signing of Petr Cech from Chelsea for £10m.

'We are still open to do something else,' said Wenger, when asked if there would be more new arrivals.

He insisted Mesut Ozil was not for sale, despite speculation in Italy linking him with a move to Juventus.

'Ozil is our player, he will remain our player and he wants to remain our player,' said Wenger.

Although he did admit one of his goalkeepers might want to leave due to Cech's arrival.

'I am happy to keep the keepers but it's important they're happy,' added the Arsenal boss. 'We have four keepers. So something might happen.'

Supporters cheer wildly as they wait for the Arsenal stars to emerge from the Changi Airport

Supporters cheer wildly as they wait for the Arsenal stars to emerge from the Changi Airport

Supporters cheer the team bus following its departure from the Jet Quay private terminal

Supporters cheer the team bus following its departure from the Jet Quay private terminal

Arsenal fans from Australia also made the trip to Singapore to at least catch a glimpse of the team

Arsenal fans from Australia also made the trip to Singapore to at least catch a glimpse of the team

David Ospina, who finished last season as Arsenal's No 1, is not in Singapore, as he is on a break after extended international duty with Colombia at the Copa America.

Wojciech Szczesny, who started last season in goal and was deposed by Ospina, landed in Asia to find he was in the news after being pictured allegedly inhaling laughing gas from a balloon.

'I heard about that,' said Wenger. 'I've not spoken to him. I don't know how much is true. I need to be cautious.'

Emiliano Martinez is Arsenal's fourth goalkeeper.

Arsenal fans in Singapore gathered around the team bus at the Jet Quay private terminal at Changi airport where Arsenal landed, hoping to catch a glimpse of the FA Cup holders ahead of their Far East tour.

The Gunners will play their first pre-season game on Wednesday against a Singapore XI at the National Stadium in the Barclays Asia Trophy, where they could also face Everton or Stoke City in the tournament.

 

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