Superstar Lionel Messi.
Photo: Getty Images
Under-pressure Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has set tongues wagging by jokingly declaring his intentions to recruit Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.
"We will buy Lionel Messi in January and we will surprise you," Wenger told a media pack.
Wenger had been quizzed on how he is looking to approach January's transfer window.
The tenure of the Gunners boss has come under the microscope after Arsenal fell to lowly Bradford and were eliminated from the League Cup during the week.
The Gunners have also struggled to live up to their billing as a Premier League heavyweight in 2012/13, currently sitting in seventh position on the table.
Wenger played down concerns following the defeat, and lauded the performance from Bradford.
"We prepare for games seriously. You have to give them credit," said Wenger.
"It was a cup game on an English December night in Bradford. You have to give Bradford credit. Unfortunately we paid the price.
"They kicked Wigan out as well. That shows they have something that they are difficult to beat.
"We put ourselves in a more difficult situation than when we were 1-0. We got off the hook with 1-1 and we should have made the difference with 30 minutes to play."