The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he has been disappointed with the failure to sign the Barcelona striker David Villa after the Spanish club categorically said that the striker is not for sale. The former Valencia man is currently frustrated after a spell on the sidelines. He has not been a first-team regular under the management of Tito Vilanova, despite having completely recovered from the tibia fracture he suffered almost a year ago. As a result, Villa has clearly stated that he would like to leave Barcelona in the January transfer window in order to get regular first-team football.

However, Barcelona have been unwilling to sell the player due to lack of replacements. There has been a feeling that Arsenal needed another striker in order to compete with the club challenging for the top four positions. The lack of a goal scorer to replace Robin van Persie has been sorely felt by the team this season. Villa is one of the renowned goal scorers in the world, but Wenger has been unable to get the striker because Barcelona have been adamant that they will not sell the player. Wenger has also said that there is unlikely to be a great deal of movement in the final few days of the transfer window for Arsenal.

“Barcelona do not want to sell David Villa, they have made that very, very clear. What is important is that you bring in people to strengthen your squad or you are strong enough to do nothing. Bringing in anyone is to me what the modern game has become,” said the Arsenal manager. Wenger has also ruled out the possibility of negotiating further with the Spanish club, with whom Arsenal have done plenty of business over the last few seasons. Recently, Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas were sold to the Spanish club by Arsenal.