LONDON, Aug 9: Arsenal have been put in the shade by their rivals in the summer transfer market.

But as the curtain rises on a new English season this weekend, Arsene Wenger is confident his squad will not be outshone on the pitch.

The financial restrictions imposed by the Gunners’ plan to move to a 400-million-pound (644-million-dollar) new stadium mean Wenger has had to stand and watch as Manchester United, Liverpool and, above all, Chelsea have spent millions introducing new blood into their squads.

But despite having to limit his own spending to the acquisition of a new goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, and two teenage defenders, Wenger insists he is happy with the players he has at his disposal.

“Ideally, I wish the club had more money because we could build a new stadium without depending on the banks,” the Frenchman admitted ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash between his FA Cup winners and Premiership champions Manchester United.

“But, player-wise, I’m happy with what I have.

“Apart from David Seaman, we have pretty much the same players as last season. In fact, we’ve had much the same squad for the last two seasons and of the four major domestic trophies available in that time we’ve won three and just missed the other. So, I have no reason to be pessimistic.

“It’s like life. Either you try to make the best of what you have in your life or you always envy other people and are never happy.”

While Arsenal are virtually unchanged, it will be a season of transition at their rivals Manchester United following the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid and the sale of Juan Sebastian Veron to Chelsea.

Wenger, who admitted he would have loved to have signed Beckham, believes the decision to sell the England captain could have a bigger impact on United than many anticipate.

“They lose his football qualities, of course, but he was also one of the hardcore of youngsters who developed together from the youth squad.

“That little group has been one of their big strengths over the years and now one of the key figures has gone. That could be detrimental to team spirit.”

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has voiced confidence that his new signings, the Cameroon international Eric Djemba-Djemba and Brazilian World Cup winner Kleberson, are capable of plugging the gaps left by Beckham and Veron.

Sceptical United fans will have to wait to pass judgement on Kleberson, who will arrive in Manchester this week provided his work permit comes through without a hitch.

But Djemba-Djemba is expected to feature at least for part of the match at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday after an impressive debut against Sporting Lisbon last week.

United, who will be bidding to lift the Community Shield for the first time since they beat Arsenal back in 1997, will be without injured England fullback Gary Neville. With Wes Brown out until December, Mikael Silvestre is expected to play alongside Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence.

Ferguson’s choice of goalkeeper will also be closely watched for pointers as to whether new signing Tim Howard has displaced Fabien Barthez as the first choice.—AFP