Wenger itching to unveil new Van

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hopes having a fully-fit Robin van Persie back in action next month will be just like landing a "new signing".

The Holland striker is currently sidelined by a muscular problem, and will miss both Saturday's early evening televised Barclays Premier League clash at Everton, as well as the visit of West Ham on New Year's Day.

However, Wenger said: "I believe it is a short-term problem, a muscular problem - but we need patience. When he comes back we can finish in a stronger position. He will be like a new signing - that is why we do not buy."

He added: "It is a small injury - but if you want to win a horse race you need your horse to be 100%.

"We have played 19 games and he has played eight, but we are still one point off the leader."

Wenger firmly believes his squad has enough strength in depth to last the pace in the title race this season and insists he would only take the "bargain of the century" when the transfer window opens in January.

Johan Djourou is set to return from his loan spell at Birmingham to bolster the defence, which will lose Kolo Toure to the African Nations Cup, as well as winger Emmanuel Eboue.

Wenger said: "We have Johan Djourou coming back from Birmingham, as we lose Kolo and Eboue too - but in midfield we have plenty of players who can play."

The Arsenal manager maintained: "We have a big squad. We won at Blackburn (in the Carling Cup) with 10 different players from the game we played before and I also did not have Van Persie, (Theo) Walcott or Gilberto. So we are not short.

"We are a very young squad, but a very talented one."