Wenger explains why Arsenal didn’t go for Chelsea-bound Newcastle star

Newcastle United's Demba Ba scores against Arsenal. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire

Friday, January 4, 2013
7:10 AM

Transfer news: Arsene Wenger says he chose to sign Olivier Giroud from Montpellier instead of Demba Ba during the summer – but insists it wasn’t because of the Chelsea-bound striker’s reported injury problems.

Arsenal had been strongly linked with a January move for Senegal international Ba, who is now in talks with Chelsea after they met the £7m release clause stipulated in the deal he signed with Newcastle in 2011.

Wenger, however, maintained he decided against looking at the transfer, having already signed Olivier Giroud from Montpellier in a £13million deal during June.

“I like Demba Ba personally, he is a similar type to Giroud who we just bought. It was one or the other one,” Wenger said.

“They are similar positions and similar types of players.”

Ba had failed a medical with Stoke before eventually joining West Ham in January 2011.

Wenger, though, would not have been put off a potential deal because of the reported problems.

“I’m a bit cautious about the noises on that front because I’ve heard different vibes coming out,” the Arsenal boss said.

“Someone told me that what he has is manageable that it can be prevented and have no problem.

“Some people say he didn’t manage to pass the medical at Stoke, but the last things I heard it’s quite positive for him.

“I am sure Chelsea will have a check on that and if they sign him it is because the problem is not as big as people say.”