Arsene Wenger insists he did not lie to the press about Danny Welbeck’s injury status despite the striker undergoing surgery just days after an imminent return to action had been hinted.

On 27 August, two days before Arsenal played Newcastle United, the boss remarked that, “Danny Welbeck is progressing well. He should be available, if all goes well, after the international break.”

Within a week – and just 24 hours after the transfer window closed – it was confirmed by the club that the England international had undergone surgery on the knee problem that has kept him sidelined since April. The 24-year-old isn’t expected to return until after Christmas and could be out as long as six months.

Clearly irked by the suggestion he’d deliberately misled media in his last press conference, the boss stressed that he only received the bad news about the ex-United forward later that day and that injuries to his squad didn’t change the fact he couldn’t source a player he actually wanted to purchase.

“It doesn’t change anything. You either find someone who strengthens your squad or not. Whether we have players injured or no doesn’t change the problem, that’s what I don’t understand from the media.

“I am surprised that people accused me of lying when I was in the press conference on Friday morning, [at that point] I did not know Welbeck had a bad setback. I did not lie to you, I gave you the information I had.”

Asked whether he’d come close to signing anybody as a replacement, Wenger continued: “I have made more than 300 transfers and every time it’s a decision to make. Do you buy the player because he strengthens his squad or not?

“The solutions we had were not convincing at all. In the end you do not buy to give one hope, you want to buy because the players who come in can help your squad to be stronger. Buying and selling is one way to strengthen your team but that’s not the only way.”

He added: “There is no need to talk about that too much now. We have to focus on what is in front of us.

“I said to you, and I didn’t lie, that we were ready to do something, but you have to be convinced that it’s not just to please people, that it [has to be] an efficient solution. And the efficient solution didn’t turn up. As well you have to be brave enough to say no.”

In a message to supporters still miffed by the fact he didn’t purchase an outfield player this summer, Wenger bullishly called on fans to back the existing squad.

“I think as well to support the club and support the team is to stand behind the players. It is not always expecting someone coming… to sort out all your problems. Support is believing in the players in the squad and this is a good opportunity to do that.”