Arsène Wenger has warned Arsenal fans the club won't marquee signing might not arrive at the club with one month of the transfer window remaining.
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis boasted of Arsenal's "financial firepower" and the £70 million Wenger had to spend this summer, though Yaya Sanogo, a free transfer from Auxerre, remains the only close-season signing at the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger remains "confident" of reinforcing the Gunners' squad but was pragmatic about their lack of transfer activity.
Wenger is content with his fourth-placed squad
"If you can give me names who are better than the players we have compared to the players we have, I am ready to talk about it," Wenger stated.
"I believe money is important. It's not the only thing in the game. We want to spend it if it strengthens our team. Spending the money is not a quality. It has to be the right players."
"At the moment, the market hasn't moved a lot."
The Frenchman confirmed Arsenal are still keen to sign Luis Suárez but insisted negotiations with Liverpool would remain "amicable".
A move for Gonzalo Higuaín from Real Madrid never materialised as the Argentinian striker eventually signed for Napoli, whom Arsenal will play tomorrow afternoon.
Suárez wants to leave Liverpool
Their pursuit of wantaway striker Suárez looked to have stalled following a second improved bid of £40million plus £1, which had been intended to trigger a clause that would allow them to discuss terms with the Uruguayan.
Wenger, however, indicated Arsenal remained hopeful of eventually negotiating a deal before the end of the summer transfer window.
"I don't want to speak about Suarez, because that is between Liverpool and Arsenal. We will completely respect what Liverpool wants to do. We want to (sign the player) if it is feasible in an amicable way," Wenger said.
"I am a great believer you have to keep as much confidentiality as possible, which is quite difficult in the modern world.
"But we work very hard, not only on the case you name, but on other different cases."