Arsene Wenger wants to slim down his Arsenal squad before making any further additions.

Some of the north London club's shortcomings, particularly defensively, were exposed as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday.

Gunners manager Wenger has not ruled out more signings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, but his immediate priority is to move out unwanted players.

"I expect to sell players first," the Frenchman said. "We have too many players. It is not manageable. Many clubs are in this situation - that is why the transfer market is quiet.

"We have 33 players at the moment. We have too many players."

In Pictures | Stoke vs Arsenal | 19/08/2017 23 show all In Pictures | Stoke vs Arsenal | 19/08/2017 1/23 AFP/Getty Images 2/23 Getty Images 3/23 AFP/Getty Images 4/23 Getty Images 5/23 Getty Images 6/23 AFP/Getty Images 7/23 Getty Images 8/23 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 9/23 Getty Images 10/23 Getty Images 11/23 Getty Images 12/23 AFP/Getty Images 13/23 Getty Images 14/23 AFP/Getty Images 15/23 Getty Images 16/23 Getty Images 17/23 Getty Images 18/23 Getty Images 19/23 AFP/Getty Images 20/23 AFP/Getty Images 21/23 Getty Images 22/23 Getty Images 23/23 Getty Images 1/23 AFP/Getty Images 2/23 Getty Images 3/23 AFP/Getty Images 4/23 Getty Images 5/23 Getty Images 6/23 AFP/Getty Images 7/23 Getty Images 8/23 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 9/23 Getty Images 10/23 Getty Images 11/23 Getty Images 12/23 AFP/Getty Images 13/23 Getty Images 14/23 AFP/Getty Images 15/23 Getty Images 16/23 Getty Images 17/23 Getty Images 18/23 Getty Images 19/23 AFP/Getty Images 20/23 AFP/Getty Images 21/23 Getty Images 22/23 Getty Images 23/23 Getty Images

Regarding arrivals, Wenger said he could not get into "transfer mode" in the immediate aftermath of the loss at the bet365 Stadium.

Arsenal outplayed Stoke for long spells and were aggrieved not to gain at least a point after a strong penalty appeal was rejected and a goal disallowed. They spurned a host of other chances.

