PREMIER LEAGUE - NEWS

Wenger defends decision not to sign new forward

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended his decision not to bring in reinforcements in attack and hit back at suggestions he lied about the fitness of Danny Welbeck.

The 24-year-old England striker is set to be out for several months after having surgery on a knee problem which caused him to miss the end of last season.

Despite that, Wenger did not move to sign a replacement before the transfer window closed on September 1, with Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech the only new face to arrive in the summer.

But, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game at home to Stoke City, Wenger said: “You either find someone who strengthens your squad or not. Whether we have players injured or not doesn’t change the problem, that’s what I don’t understand from the media.

“First of all I am surprised that people accused me of lying when I was in the press conference on Friday, I did not know Welbeck had a bad setback. I did not lie to you, I gave you the information I had.

“I heard late on Friday night that his condition had not evolved as well as we thought it was and he had needed specialist and needed further investigation. Apart from that, if we did not find someone (to sign), we did not find them.

“I have made more than 300 transfers and every time it’s a decision to make. Do you buy the player because he strengthens his squad or not? The solutions we had were not convincing at all.”

Roberto Martinez: Chelsea's failed John Stones pursuit has made him stronger

ROBERTO MARTINEZ insistes John Stones has come out of the summer's Chelsea transfer saga in a positive fashion.

The champions had four offers for Stones rejected and the Toffees turned down a transfer request from the young centre back.

He was booed by his own fans for trying to force his way out of the club and Martinez knows it was a rough few weeks for the 21-year-old.

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STRENGTH TO STRENGTH: Stones continues to improve, according to Martinez

“John has gone from strength to strength”

Roberto Martinez

But the Spanish boss is confident Stones has come out of it as a stronger character.

Martinez said: "John has gone from strength to strength.

"He has taken the support of everyone at the football club and he has performed with incredible composure.

"It shows what type of player he is. Our interest is to look after every player. We are going to carry on doing that.

"I have been quite vocal about not having the window open when the competition is on.

"We took it all as a compliment as it means we are doing something well and it gives you a feeling of control.

"I don’t agree from a human point of view and the authorities need to look at it."

Former Liverpool forward blames his Anfield nightmare on 'someone else'

FABIO BORINI has refused to take any of the blame for flopping on Merseyside.

The Italian striker left Liverpool to join Sunderland in the summer transfer window.

His move ended a frustrating three-year spell at Anfield during which he failed to convince boss Brendan Rogers to give him a run in the first team.

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NIGHTMARE: Borini wasn't able to convince Rodgers to play him

“It didn’t work out. Not because of me, but because of someone else”

Fabio Borini

And the striker appears to have taken a swipe at Rodgers.

Borini said: "It was very difficult [at Liverpool].

"It didn’t work out. Not because of me, but because of someone else.

"Everyone knows within the club and outside that I have been working hard.

"I gave everything for the club. That is why I stayed at Liverpool, because I thought I could help the team.

"Every time I have been asked to play I did that, and that’s the thing."

Man City fan gets tattoo of commentary from Sergio Aguero's title-winning goal

A Manchester City supporter has had the transcript of Martin Tyler's commentary of Sergio Aguero's Premier League title-winning goal tattooed onto his arm.

The fan known as @mancitybear on Twitter uploaded an image of the design, which covers the entire of his left forearm.

Tyler's commentary, which included the line "I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again", occurred when Aguero scored a last-gasp winner against Queens Park Rangers to snatch the title from rivals Manchester United on the final day of the season.

Along with the transcript, the City supporter also added the date and time of the goal, which was scored in the 93rd minute of the team's 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium.