Wenger defends Arsenal over Suarez pursuit

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended his club over their unsuccessful bid to prise Luis Suarez away from Premier League rivals Liverpool during the close-season transfer window. Arsenal submitted an offer of £40,000,001 ($63.7 million, 47.2 million euros) in July designed to trigger a release clause in the Uruguayan striker's contract, but their approach was rebuffed. Liverpool's American owner John W Henry expressed bemusement over Arsenal's tactics, writing on Twitter: "What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?" However, with the two sides due to face off at the Emirates Stadium later on Saturday, Wenger says the London club acted correctly during the affair. "It was not the most subtle thing we have done, but it was not meant to be provocative at all. It could be interpreted like that, but it was not our purpose," Wenger said. "It was one of the transfers that did not work and in every club you have two or three, but there is no need afterwards to speak about it. Suarez is a professional, he plays there, he is paid by Liverpool, and that is it." Wenger was adamant that his side's relationship with Liverpool was not damaged by the affair, saying: "Relations are good. We kept in touch over that period." Source: AFP