Wenger considering January signings

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger cut short his press conference after Arsenal’s 5-1 win over West Ham ‘to do some work’ on his transfer targets.

Wenger’s men came from a goal down to put their London rivals to the sword on Wednesday, with Olivier Giroud scoring twice in a 12-minute blitz early in the second half to help secure all three points.

The Frenchman was pleased with the way his side responded after going behind to a Jack Collison strike, and reserved special praise for Lukas Podolski – whose thunderbolt effort restored parity in the first half – in the short time he spoke afterwards.

“We got a good response,” he told reporters. “West Ham were dangerous in the first half and from set-pieces. In the second half we created chance after chance.

“I thought it was an interesting test (at 1-0). I couldn’t predict we would score five, it was vital to equalise before half-time.

“It was a repetition of the game at West Ham when we were 1-0 down. Everybody can score against everybody.

“I never felt that the players didn’t know how important it is. I was worried they were sometimes a bit inhibited.

“Podolski was outstanding. He has an unbelievable shot, the ‘keeper had no chance. It was new for us, we scored from a corner.

“I still believe (the left) is his best position. Yes, (he had one of his best games), he was also very good in the away game at West Ham.”

Wenger confirmed Thomas Vermaelen is doubtful for Arsenal’s FA Cup clash with Brighton on Saturday after suffering an ankle problem.

When pressed on the club’s dealings in the transfer market, he was quick to suggest some developments were in the pipeline.

Asked whether there were any updates, Wenger said: “No (I have nothing to tell you). That is why I have to shorten the press conference, because I have to do some work.”

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said the start of the second half cost his side and he was preparing to set his team up to protect their lead before the blitz.

“When you concede as early (in the second half) as we did and they get into top gear, you have to give their players credit for their top spell,” he said.

“You wonder what Arsenal are going to be like when they have lost two on the trot, once we opened up they tore us apart.

“My strategy was working brilliantly until half-time. I had planned to introduce fresh legs and talent.

“But by the time I blocked it up, they were five ahead. It was the worst 45 minutes I’ve suffered this season.”