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Arsene Wenger says Arsenal won't buy without trimming 'unmanageable' squad

Arsene Wenger wants to trim the size of his Arsenal squad
Image: Arsene Wenger wants to trim the size of his Arsenal squad

Arsene Wenger says he is not in the market for new signings until he can trim an Arsenal squad which is "not manageable".

The Gunners boss was asked about the possibility of further new arrivals after his side suffered a first defeat of the new season, 1-0 at Stoke.

Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Lucas Perez and Jack Wilshere did not even make the bench for Saturday's game, and Wenger's priority is to sell before adding to the summer signings of Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette.

"I expect to sell players first. That's all," he said. "I expect players to go because we have too many players.

"It's not manageable and many clubs are in this situation - that's why the transfer market is quiet. We have 33 players at the moment and that's too many."

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Arsenal sold Gabriel to Valencia earlier in the week, while Perez is hoping to secure a return move to Deportivo La Coruna after limited first-team chances in London last season.

Wenger also has Alexis Sanchez waiting to make his first appearance of the season after an extended summer break.

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Sanchez was not considered for Stoke or the opening-day win over Leicester, but last season's top scorer is in line to return at Liverpool on Super Sunday.

"If all goes well through the week he should be available to be selected for the next game," Wenger said.

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