Arsene Wenger has dashed hopes of new signings in the January transfer window – claiming he has no room in his squad.

Speaking after his side reached the Carling Cup semi-final following Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic, the Arsenal manager was adamant he has more than enough in reserve to maintain their title challenge.

The Gunners lie third in the table ahead of the visit of Fulham on Saturday, but have already lost four times in the Premier League since August.

And after announcing a �55m profit in September, some fans were hoping Wenger would unlock the purse strings to strengthen his squad – with a new goalkeeper and centre-half top of their wish-list.

Speculation has mounted that Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill could arrive next month but the Frenchman said: “We made nine changes [against Wigan] and we still don’t have Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelen, who are injured. Manuel Almunia and Sebastian Squillaci too.

“Then there are the players we rested like Marouane Chamakh. And Aaron Ramsey will be back in the squad soon.

“I don’t know where to put the players. If you buy a player you have to give them a chance to play. Already we have international players who don’t get enough games.”

The Gunners reached the last four of the cup which they last won in 1993, for a record 14th time thanks to an own goal from Antolin Alcaraz and a late second from Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner on a bitterly cold night at the Emirates.

But Cesc Fabregas did not feature due to his hamstring injury picked up in the defeat at Braga last week and Wenger admitted he does not know when he will feature again – with fans hoping he will return for the trip to Manchester United on December 13.

“It is impossible to say at the moment,” added Wenger. “But it is very difficult. In the next few days we will know more.”