Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger bemoans lack of top strikers on transfer market

Arsene Wenger admits he's encountered a shortage of world-class forwards available to buy as he explores options to add to Arsenal's strike force.

The Gunners can only call upon Olivier Giroud as an out-and-out striker. Former Manchester United man Danny Welbeck is not expected back until late September with a knee injury.

Asked about elite forwards, Wenger told reporters, "There is a shortage in the world. And there is a difference between financial power and the availability of top-class players. When players are not free you cannot buy because it is the club who owns the contract that decides. ...

"It hasn't been a frustrating window for me because I'm always more focused on developing the team and the players we have inside the club. I'm not against buying when it is really a plus for the team."

Arsenal has been linked with Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain, and Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer. Each would come at a huge price.

Wenger prefers his transfers to be well thought-out, and believes preying on "big, big clubs" with lots of competition is the way to get world-class talent in.

"Before, when we were building the stadium, the big clubs came to buy the players from us," Wenger said. "Now we are in a position where we can keep our big players, but sometimes there are so many big players in the other big, big clubs who are good but do not play. So after a year or two you can get a good deal. Alexis Sanchez is a case. Pedro is another case. Arjen Robben is another."

Luis Suarez's move to Barcelona from Liverpool last summer paved the way for Sanchez's move to Arsenal. Wenger believes Suarez and Sanchez are equally good.

"Sanchez has that desire to go forward and provoke, he is a guy who provokes chaos in the defenses because he has a go at them," Wenger said. "He does not go across, he goes straight. His desire to go forward, to provoke opponents, to run at people, creates danger."

Arsenal takes on Liverpool on Monday and hopes to build on its away win against Crystal Palace last Sunday.