Wenger promises quiet pursuit of Arshavin

(GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger remains relaxed about Arsenal's chase for Andrei Arshavin - but will not be conducting the club's transfer business in public.

Zenit St Petersburg appear to have softened their stance on the £20m fee demanded for the 27-year-old playmaker, and have indicated a "logical conclusion" to the protracted saga could soon be achieved.

However, while the Russians and indeed the player's agent have made their viewpoints clear, with a string of claims and counter claims, Wenger intends to keep his own counsel until the deal is concluded one way or another as talks between the parties continue.

"It is in the newspapers, but not from our side. We are quiet and we know what we want to do," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"We will keep that as quiet as possible and for as long as we can."

The Gunners boss feels should the transfer not come off, then such public statements of the ins and outs of the negotiations could result in a backlash from the fans.

"It is difficult because I believe when it does not work, it can turn against them or against us," said Wenger.

"You have to accept that in the transfer market, sometimes you go for a player and that sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn't happen.

"But I am very happy with the squad I have and will only add someone who can give us something special.

"For the rest I have good players and believe strongly in them.

"Should we not get what we want, we will accept it as well because I believe we are strong enough with what we have."

Arsenal head to Cardiff in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, when they will be looking to continue their recent improvement in form.

Wenger insists what happens on the pitch must always remain his priority rather that what deals may or may not be pushed through before the window closes on 2 February.

"At the moment I am more focussed on doing well with the players we have than being frenetic about the transfer market," he said.

"We are at an important part of the season where the most important thing is to focus on how strong we are, and what we are going to achieve together.

"I am convinced there is enough quality inside here to achieve that target."

Wenger also believes having men such as striker Eduardo, captain Cesc Fabregas, England winger Theo Walcott and perhaps even Czech international Tomas Rosicky on their way back to fitness in the coming weeks, will feel like "new signings".

He said: "We are not close to signing anybody else, but what I see in training is a very determined team of top quality.

"Also the players coming back, like Fabregas and Walcott, there is a little chance that Rosicky will play again before the end of the season, so we have plenty of players coming back who are like new signings."