© PA Photos Enlarge Julian Draxler is reportedly 'desperate' for a transfer to Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has denied reports Arsenal are close to completing a £37 million deal for Schalke winger Julian Draxler.

Wenger used his post-match press conference to deny the claims after watching his side ease through into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Coventry on Friday.

He claimed that the club already has strength in depth out wide and was adamant he did not need to spend money on any reinforcements out wide.

"That is an illusion. There is nothing happening, honestly no," Wenger said. "We don't need to take players on the flanks - we have 17 players on the flanks."

Wenger, who earlier this week criticised Chelsea's decision to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United, hit back at Jose Mourinho's claims that he was "always complaining" - and stated he was free to have his own opinion on the matter.

Wenger had suggested Chelsea's sale of Mata was "not fair" as the Blues had already faced United twice this season.

"Look at Christmas and you tell me who had the best fixtures," Wenger said. "We played on Sunday against Everton, on Wednesday in Naples and on Saturday morning at Man City. So we do have not the same assessment on that front.

"What I said was not a complaint, it has nothing to do with Chelsea. It was just a suggestion of 'do you think it is right or wrong'.

"Everybody is free in life to have his opinion about people. I never speak about people. I speak about facts and ideas. Never about people."

Meanwhile, a report in the Daily Telegraph suggests that Arsenal are close to agreeing a £36m fee for Draxler and that the midfielder is desperate to complete a move to the Emirates.

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