Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists club will 'spend big' on 'right candidates' as he rejects fans' criticism

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Arsene Wenger has launched a staunch defence of Arsenal's transfer policy and has vowed to 'spend big' if the right chance arises.

Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal's Chief Executive, gave an interview last week in which he suggested that the club would continue to remain true to their principles of staying away from the frenzy of the window and promoting youth.

For those who have become restless with the progress Arsenal have made under Wenger in recent years, it was not a message they wanted to hear, particularly as both Manchester clubs and Chelsea have invested heavily – and will continue to so. 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has launched a staunch defence of the club's transfer policy 

Attacking midfielder Granit Xhaka (right) joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in a £30m deal

Wenger, however, does not welcome the indication he is parsimonious, particularly as Arsenal have already paid out on of the biggest fees so far this summer (£30million) for Granit Xhaka, the Switzerland international becoming the third most expensive arrival in the club's history.

Arsenal continue to be linked with a number of stellar names, including Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette and Arda Turan of Barcelona, but Wenger sees no need to fan the flames of speculation at this stage.

What he was eager to point out, though, was his willingness to go the extra mile – if it is required – to bring in a player that will improve his squad. He won't baulk if Arsenal are quoted a huge price but, equally, he will not spend for the sake of it. 

'I'm my sure my Chief Executive didn't want to dampen the expectations,' said Wenger, who takes his squad to California on Monday for a week-long training camp and friendlies against the MLS All-Stars and Mexican side Chivas.

'We are very active on the transfer front and if we find the right candidates we will spend the big money. We have already spent big. Until now no one has spent bigger than us in the country, even if (Paul) Pogba might fly from Italy to England (to join Manchester United).

'But overall we have already made as investment and we are active. I don't want to come out on names because if you don't get them, people ask why. We are very active, every day. It's not over. It's July and the market finishes on August 31.

'We know as well that things happen many times in the last week (Arsenal spent £42.5million Mesut Ozil on the final day of the summer window in 2013). So there is a long time to go. We are working.'

Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin (right) vie for the ball during a training session at the club's Colney base

Wenger's refusal to get caught up in the madness is admirable and when you looked at the squad he took to Lens on Friday night for their opening pre-season friendly against the Ligue 2 side – then consider the players he was without – you can see why he won't get flustered.  

Yet the issue with Arsenal is the fact you will always feel they are falling short of their aspirations. Last season, of course, was a case in point when they headed the Barclays Premier League for large periods but ultimately finished a distance behind eventual champions Leicester.

At the end, they were 10 points behind and only finished second after Tottenham imploded in the final week and were thrashed 5-1 by already-relegated Newcastle; to finish runners-up, then, was a hollow victory.

Disappointment, unquestionably, will be lingering but Per Mertesacker, who is in contention to be named club captain after Mikel Arteta's departure, insists Arsenal will be title contenders once again and a huge overhaul is not required to make the last step

Gunners goalkeeper Emi Martinez dives low to make a save during Saturday's training session in St Alban's

'The way it finished, we were quite lucky to finish second,' Mertesacker admitted. 'At the end we kind of turned it around and to finish second was kind of a miracle for us. But in the other hand it's a big motivation for us for next season to keep up with all those good teams who finished behind us.

'The only thing that really disappointed for us was that Leicester took the advantage from every big team suffering a lot. At least we finished second. It's not what we wanted but with a good ending to the story. Nevertheless, we try to get fit and compete for the title.

'Those big clubs will be stronger this time. That is what I expect. So we need to be stronger as well. It's going to be an exciting season for everyone and we are all looking forward to the start and see how well we can compete as a team. Not a lot of signings, just one, two, three signings.

'It won't be easy this season, especially with all the signings going to the other clubs. A lot of business has already been done but it needs to fit. You can't predict what is going on. Even when you have three big signings, you need to complement each other. There are a lot of questions.'