Arsenal need “one or two” players to challenge Chelsea – Wenger

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal only need “one or two” players in the summer transfer window to bounce back strongly from a fifth-place finish.

Despite failing to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in his 21-year reign, the Frenchman refuses to accept that the Gunners squad is in need of an overhaul.

Instead, he has hinted at another quiet window if he remains at the helm.

Arsenal are yet to reveal their managerial plans for 2017-18, with the FA Cup final still to come, but their current boss believes only minor tweaks will be required in order to have the club back in the Premier League title picture next term.

Wenger told reporters after a 3-1 victory over Everton: “I think this group of players is good enough to come back.

“They have learned a lot and they have gone through difficult periods this season and they have bounced back in a very strong way.

“I think that will help them, absolutely, next season.

“But first I think we have to keep 90 per cent of these players together and find one or two more who strengthen the group but we don’t need a lot. We don’t need many. But we need maybe top quality.”

Attracting said quality will be difficult without the lure of Champions League football, but Arsenal need to do something in order to ensure that their slide is halted at fifth.

They also have several contract issues to resolve over the coming months, with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez having previously stated that they intend to hold extension talks once the 2016-17 campaign comes to a close.