Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he won’t be rushed into buying anyone in the January transfer window, despite the Gunners suffering a third straight defeat at the hands of Manchester United (Arsenal 2/1 top four finish).

The Gunners came into the clash at the Emirates Stadium looking to bounce back after defeats in their last two Premier League matches to Swansea and Fulham.

However, it wasn’t to be for Arsene Wenger’s men as United ran out 2-1 winners to leave the Gunners five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Arsenal’s lack of a fit full-back was exposed for the third game running as both of United’s goals came from wide positions.

With Bacary Sagna, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson and Andre Santos all some way off a return to full fitness Wenger had been expected to dip into the transfer market.

However, the Frenchmen has stalled and Arsenal have been forced to pay the price of playing centre-backs and midfielders out of position.

Wenger was asked whether he thought Arsenal needed to spend to improve and replied: “I don’t. Spending money is not the target. It never has been in life.

“We need our players back. We missed 10 players. When you see what we created in the second half, it’s important for us to get the players back.”

Arsenal (7/1 FA Cup outright) will get a break from the Premier League this weekend as they face Aston Villa (40/1) in the FA Cup before they return to more important matters with must-win games against Bolton and Blackburn in the league.