Arsene Wenger has dig at Manchester City’s ‘petrol’ money
Arsene Wenger has aimed a not-so-subtle dig at Manchester City over the amount of money they have spent to fuel their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.
Pep Guardiola’s side set a new consecutive wins record of 15 on the bounce by beating Swansea, while they have only dropped two points all season.
It has got many fans and pundits excited about the prospect of another team finally matching Arsenal’s Invincibles, who went the entirety of the 2003-04 season without suffering defeat.
But Wenger seemed to downplay City’s achievements compared to his own unbeaten side, bringing up their enormous backing from the Abu Dhabi United Group. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle, he said: ‘Look, we had no petrol but ideas.
‘Everybody projects they will last. Everything goes for them inside the games. They have quality to turn it in their favour. They have plenty of resources and quality.’ Pressed on whether his reference to petrol meant money, he continued: ‘Yes. Money and quality, that’s what I wanted to say.
‘In their management, in their players, they have everything that’s needed. It’s not easy, you still have to respect that achievement.’
Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign Alexandre Lacazette in a £50m deal this summer, while Man City spent as much on both Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy, twice breaking the transfer record for a defender.
Guardiola has spent a little over £400m in the 18 months he has been at the Etihad, despite the squad he inherited already containing the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero.
