Leicester, United Kingdom – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted Yaya Sanogo's struggles in front of goal are becoming an increasing problem, but refused to offer any guarantees he will delve into the transfer market for a new striker.
Sanogo, yet to score in any of his 17 competitive outings since his arrival from Auxerre last year following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leicester, provided little evidence to suggest he is a ready-made replacement for the injured Olivier Giroud.
“When you are 21 and play up front and don't score it is very quickly a problem,” said Wenger.
“I don't think that problem will last very long but when you have the chance to play for Arsenal and you don't score it is a problem.
“He tried very hard. You can say he didn't score, yes. Is it on his mind? Of course. He is a striker and scored many goals as a young player.”
One potential solution is no longer available after Loic Remy completed a switch to rivals Chelsea from QPR on Sunday.
But Wenger has refused to raise hopes that he is about to repeat last year's significant spending on deadline-day, when Mesut Ozil was recruited for £42.5 million (53.7m euros, $70.5m).
“The solution (for the fans) every time you don't win a game is to buy somebody,” he said. “They have to trust us to buy the best possible solution.
“Why did Manchester city not beat Stoke? They have plenty of strikers. Football is a team sport, not an individual one.
“I don't like to promise what 100 percent doesn't only depend on me. We can talk and talk. Even if we sign someone or not could we win today (Sunday) without anybody? Yes.”
Within two minutes Leonardo Ulloa cancelled out Alexis Sanchez's first Barclays Premier League goal and the Foxes were good value for their point on what proved a frustrating afternoon for Wenger, whose side remain unbeaten on five points but lost ground at the top of the table.
Allowed time and space by his marker Laurent Koscielny Ä still rattled by a heavy aerial collision with Jeffrey Schlupp shortly before which had required the all clear from the club doctor for him to continue Ä Ulloa could pick his spot, heading inside the left post.
“If he wasn't injured, we wouldn't have conceded the goal,” Wenger said. “I was told he could come back on but, after that, he asked to come off. He was not concussed but there was an open wound on top of the head.”
Foxes manager Nigel Pearson insisted there still more to come from his team, but is satisfied with their start after picking up points against the Gunners and Everton either side of a defeat to Chelsea.
“It's frustrating for us to have not won a game yet but I have seen encouraging signs,” Pearson said. “We created a number of good opportunities again and we have been putting out opponents under pressure.
“I think we have played better, but we showed flashes. You can't go into the Premier League being tight all the time, you have to create opportunities.” – Sapa-AFP