Wenger – Football won’t escape the recession

Arsène Wenger believes that the global recession will hit football before the end of the coming season.

While the wider world worries about its finances, the transfer market of the "beautiful game" is still talking telephone numbers. The likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City have written hefty cheques this summer as they bid for success.

However the Arsenal manager believes everyone will have to re-consider their spending patterns soon.

"It looks like football has not been hit by recession but that is only due to exceptional circumstances," said Wenger speaking after the opening pre-season fixture against Barnet.

"I still think that we will have to become more reasonable in the game, even if you have exceptional circumstances like Real Madrid and Man City.

"I believe that in the next eight to 10 months football will suffer much more than people think."