Arsenal transfer news: Arsene Wenger defends failure to sign replacement for injured Danny Welbeck

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he was unable to find an "efficient solution" to replace the injury-stricken Danny Welbeck, after the North London club failed to find a striker to deputise for the England international in the final days of the summer transfer window. Welbeck has undergone knee surgery and is expected to be out until Christmas, leaving the club with just two senior strikers for much of the campaign.

Confirmation that Welbeck would require surgery to correct a knee problem that has kept him out since April came less than 96 hours before the end of the summer transfer window and left Wenger scrambling around for a replacement. The Gunners ended the window as the only club in the top five leagues in Europe to not sign an outfield player.

The predicament facing Arsenal, who will rely on Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott to fire them towards a title challenge, is demonstrated by having only one goalscorer so far this season, while they are also yet to net at The Emirates Stadium in games against West Ham United and Liverpool. Nevertheless, Wenger is unperturbed by the scrutiny.

"It doesn't change anything [the failure to sign a striker]," Wenger said, according to Arsenal's official website. "You either find someone who strengthens your squad or not. Whether we have players injured or not doesn't change the problem, that's what I don't understand from the media.

"There is no need to talk about that too much now. We have to focus on what is in front of us. I said to you, and I didn't lie, that we were ready to do something, but you have to be convinced that it's not just to please people, that it [has to be] an efficient solution. And the efficient solution didn't turn up. As well you have to be brave enough to say no."