Keep calm, carry on

Not for the first time, Arsène Wenger has moved to calm speculations and expectations for the January transfer window.

By ruling out several reported targets in today's press conference, he may have hoped to cool down the talk surrounding his club. Of course, many Gooners need to let out steam instead! Among the supporters, the need to strengthen the squad is evident. For the manager, not so much. Arsenal already have two players for each position, he said today, but continued:

If someone else can strengthen our squad, we will do it, of course. But we have the resources inside to do well.

In the Evening Standard, James Olley has reported on Wenger's press briefing today. His opinion is that Arsenal still are looking for two more players, but his piece doesn't back it up.

Official website arsenal.com seems to confirm that the club is looking to sign at least one new player, but Wenger set a clear condition:

[...] It is not to buy just because we look like we want to buy. We buy a player if we think he is good enough to play for us.

Furthermore, Wenger clearly said that he's not looking to buy any players in France. It doesn't only rule out Younes Belhanda, who was the object of the question posed, but also Florian Thauvin who has been linked quite a few times lately.

A bid for Germany and Dortmund defender Mats Hummels would be pointless. Wenger can't imagine the German champions wanting to sell him, and certainly not mid-season.

As for David Villa of Barcelona, Wenger was adamant:

[...] There’s nothing concrete there. We are not on the case.

Several Spanish and British media beg to differ on that point. But as always in Silly Season, you never know who to believe. So you might as well not believe anyone.