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Piers Morgan slams ‘arrogant’ Arsene Wenger – ‘I spent more in Starbucks than Arsenal in the transfer window!’

Piers Morgan has launched a fierce attack on Arsenal’s hesitance in the transfer window this summer, saying their failure to sign an outfield players highlights the “stubbornness, arrogance and the ‘I know best’ mentality” of manager Arsene Wenger.

With an apparent war chest at the boss’ disposal, the Gunners started in style with the surprise early arrival of Petr Cech from Premier League rivals Chelsea for just £10million.

"I don't understand why Wenger would do this...he's done nothing!"

Piers Morgan

But fans were left frustrated as the goalkeeper remained the only first-team player brought in by Tuesday’s deadline, with 16-year-old Ajax striker Donyell Malen - who joined on a free transfer - their only other signing.

The Etihad Stadium faithful were crying out for Wenger to land a top class striker to make them Premier League challengers once more, but a long pursuit of France international Karim Benzema ended in failure, while they baulked and refused to pay Paris Saint-Germain's £50million asking price for Edinson Cavani.

And Morgan is livid with Wenger’s - and the club's - failures, telling the Alan Brazil Sports Breaksfast: “This was the season when all the excuses where supposed to be over.

“According to board member Lord Harris only last month, we have £200million sitting there and we can afford ‘any player in the world Wenger wants, other than possibly Messi and Ronaldo’.

"Yesterday the deadline elapsed and I spent more money buying a cup of coffee in Starbucks for £2.50 than Arsene Wenger spent in the window after initially buying Cech earlier in the summer.

“Wenger has spent £10m out of £200m at his disposal. Arsenal fans know what we need, we know we haven’t had a first class centre-forward since Van Persie betrayed us and went to Man United.

“We do not have a centre forward who is going to win us the league – Giroud will not win us the league.

“I cannot understand why Wenger would do this. Why, when we are on the cusp of potentially challenging again, when you have £200m at your disposal, do you literally do nothing?

“I think it’s a shameful abrogation of your duties as Arsenal manager, I think it is further indicative - to me - than he is not the Arsene Wenger he was ten years ago, and I’m afraid that because of his inaction in this transfer window, arsenal are likely to come third or fourth again or potentially slip out of the top four.

“The idea that we’re on anywhere the same level as Manchester City is laughable. I think we’ll be about 15 points adrift of City, minimum, this season and for me that’s inexcusable.

“I think Arsene Wenger was one of the  greatest managers the world has ever seen for eight years, but for the next ten years he’s been unbelievably disappointing my eyes.

“This behaviour yesterday in the transfer window absolutely personifies the stubbornness, the arrogance, the intransigence and the ‘I know best’ mentality Wenger has.”
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Deadline Day signing of Barcelona midfielder Alex Song illustrates the club’s ambitions to reach ‘the next level.’

The 27-year-old completed a season-long loan move to the Hammers after a successful temporary spell at Upton Park last season, although he will be sidelined for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.

West Ham added to Song’s capture with deals for Michail Antonio, Victor Moses and Nikica Jelavic before the transfer window shut on Tuesday, and Noble claims the new acquisitions should help the club achieve loftier targets.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the 28-year-old said: “Alex was great for us last season when he was here on loan. With the added players that we’ve got in now I’m pretty sure he will fit in well.

“I hope with the calibre of signings we’ve made it means we are pushing onto the next level.”

West Ham’s away results have drastically contrasted with their home record in the early stages of the Premier League season, with victories at Arsenal and Liverpool undermined by defeats to Leicester and Bournemouth at Upton Park.

Noble scored in the Hammers’ impressive 3-0 win at Anfield on Saturday but was then sent off for an innocuous lunge on Reds’ striker Danny Ings, and the Irons academy product has confirmed the club will appeal the decision.

“I spoke to the people that organise that sort of stuff and they said straight away that we were going to appeal it,” he added.

“I’m still a little bit in shock that I got a straight red for it if I’m honest but Kevin [Friend] is a great referee and obviously he’s seen it in a different light to what I did.

“But I think everyone can agree there’s no malice in the tackle and I’ve won the ball clearly. It was definitely a bit harsh.”

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Exclusive - Harry Redknapp: Berahino’s West Brom boycott after failed Tottenham move ‘ridiculous’

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has called Saido Berahino refusal to play for West Brom ‘ridiculous’ after the club denied him a dream move to Spurs this summer.

Having chased the 22-year-old all summer, the north London club attempted to land Berahino with two deadline day offers, but they – along with two bids earlier in the transfer window – were turned down by the stubborn Baggies.

Chairman Jeremy Peace slammed Tottenham’s ‘antics’ in the pursuit, saying the offers ‘failed to reflect Saido’s true value’ and were ‘designed to get him out of our club cheaply.’

An aggrieved Berahino, who handed in a transfer request last week, insisted he would not play for the club again with Peace in charge, but Redknapp has called for the youngster to get back on the pitch and win the Baggies fans over following the summer saga.

“It’s ridiculous,” the former boss told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. “He’s got to get on now and go back and play and win the West Brom fans over.

Berahino vented his anger on Twitter...

"People do forget. Wayne Rooney asked for a transfer from Manchester United about four or five years ago…Berahino would not be the first person to ever want leave a club and then play and win the fans over again.

“He’s got to get out and play, start scoring some goals and doing what he’s paid to do at West Brom. If a move comes up at the next window and it suits everybody, then great, but he’s got to work hard now and play well to get the fans back on side.”

Manchester United release David de Gea statement

Manchester United have released a statement in response to Real Madrid's claims that the deal involvingDavid de Gea broke down due to the failings of the Premier League club.

De Gea was widely expected to move to Real Madrid before the Spanish transfer window closed on Monday evening, but the deal could not be completed due to the fact that the goalkeeper's documents were not uploaded onto TMS in time.

Real Madrid claimed that there were no problems their side when it came to negotiating the deal for Keylor Navas, who was due to move to Old Trafford as part of the De Gea transfer.

However, United have said that at 10.55pm UK time on Monday, Navas's documentation still had not been returned by Real Madrid.

Part of the official statement says: "It is our understanding that the deals couldn't happen because: Real Madrid didn't upload David's documents onto TMS in time (Manchester United did). Real Madrid didn't upload David's documents to the Spanish league in time, per reports it seems some 28 minutes after the deadline.

"The fact that Manchester United filed the papers on time was acknowledged by the Football Association, who offered to support that claim in any discussions with FIFA. The club offered this assistance, as well as its own timestamped documents to Real Madrid but they have chosen not to go down this route."

The Premier League outfit finish the statement by saying: "Manchester United acts appropriately and efficiently in its transfer dealings. The club is delighted that its fan-favourite double Player of the Year, David de Gea, remains a Manchester United player."

De Gea, who is out of contract next summer, has not yet featured for United this season.

De Gea must play to earn Euro 2016 spot – Del Bosque

After missing out a move to Real Madrid, David de Gea must play regularly if he is to avoid further disappointment, says Vicente del Bosque.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque would find it difficult to select David de Gea for Euro 2016 if the goalkeeper is not playing regular football.

De Gea has not featured for Manchester United this season amid a transfer saga that ended in bizarre circumstances this week as his widely anticipated move to Real Madrid did not materialise.

Real were unable to register a deal to sign De Gea and send Keylor Navas to United before the Spanish transfer deadline at Midnight CET on September 1.

Both sides have since engaged in a bitter war of words, with each club blaming the other for the collapsed transfer.

De Gea was selected in Del Bosque's squad for their upcoming qualifiers against Slovakia and Macedonia and the Spain coach is keen for the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper to focus on his football.

When asked by Marca if he would speak to De Gea about his situation, Del Bosque said: "No, but if I do feel the need to talk to him about it then I will say something.

"He needs to be professional and move on from this episode.

"I hope that he starts playing again and is happy, and if he plays well we can bring him along, otherwise if he doesn't play it will be very difficult for him to come [to Euro 2016]."