Wenger expects Bale’s move to have domino effect on deadline day

Spurs were without Gareth Bale, finally confirmed as a Real Madrid player, but their £100m-plus summer spree saw plenty of talent in Andre Villas-Boas’s match-day squad, with £26m man Erik Lamela starting on the bench following his transfer from Roma that was finalised on Friday.

However, it was Arsenal – having so far brought in only two free transfers – who earned the bragging rights after Giroud tucked home his fourth goal in five appearances after 23 minutes which proved enough to settle an entertaining, but also heated, contest.

With Bale’s £86.3m move to Madrid having finally being confirmed at 7pm yesterday, 
Arsenal could now up their interest in Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Angel di Maria before the window closes at 11pm tonight.

“I am not against spending money, but I want to add super quality to our squad – or not,” said Wenger. “Tottenham got a lot of money for Bale, they have to invest it – I understand that. The need is different for us, we need one or two super players and we will try to add that.

“We have 24 more hours, so maybe we can surprise you. Maybe not, but I am confident.”

Wenger feels now Bale’s switch has been completed, other projected transfers could fall into place.

He added: “It is a little bit like a domino game. Maybe something will happen in the last 24 hours, maybe not. It is very difficult to predict.”

Arsenal may be sitting on a £70m warchest, but Wenger insists the club will not be held to ransom as the last-gasp shopping dash begins.

Swansea claimed their first points of the season yesterday as they beat West Brom 2-0.

Having lost to Manchester United and Tottenham, Michael Laudrup’s side were in need of a result to lift them off bottom spot and duly delivered with Pablo Hernandez teeing up Ben Davies for the opener before applying the finishing touch in the 83rd minute.