Wenger: Henry can say what he wants –

I still hope to sign Suarez (but we'll give Liverpool the respect they deserve)



Arsene Wenger insists he has not given up hope of signing Luis Suarez despite Liverpool owner John Henry categorically ruling out the possibility of selling his star striker to Arsenal.

The Gunners have failed with a bid of £40million and one pound for Suarez – who has been forced to train on his own in recent days – with Liverpool adamant that it has not triggered a release clause in his contract.

Wenger faced questions about the issue when Arsenal landed in Helsinki this afternoon ahead of Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Manchester City.

Controversial: Luis Suarez's bid to leave Liverpool has dominated the summer

Asked if Henry’s statement will make him abandon his pursuit of Suarez, the Arsenal boss said: ‘No because we are in the middle of the transfer period and we are looking at possibilities to strengthen our squad.



‘I didn’t read his statements but that’s how it will work or not work. We’ll be faithful to the way we want to behave.



‘I’ve nothing to add to what I said already about the transfer of Suarez. If it will be done, it will be done in a respectful way with Liverpool.



Optimistic: Arsene Wenger is still hopeful about his chances of recruiting the Uruguayan frontman The Professor: Wenger is in Helsinki for his side's final pre-season fixture Grey day? But Arsenal's prospects for the coming season are not necessarily gloomy ‘To make a transfer happen you need the agreement of three parties – the buyer, the seller and the player. We know we want to do.

‘Liverpool at the moment do not agree. Whether they change their mind or not we don’t know. We’ll respect that.

‘Suarez is one of the targets. If he’s not for sale, he’s not for sale we have to accept that.’

Suarez has publicly called on Liverpool to let him leave so he can play Champions League football this season, bringing an angry response from manager Brendan Rodgers.

Asked if it was feasible for Liverpool to keep a player who is so clearly unhappy at Anfield, Wenger added: ‘That’s not for me to asses that. I don’t know the relations between the player and the club.

Transfer tussle: Liverpool remain adamant the frontman will not be allowed to leave Growing profile: Aaron Ramsey could this season become a key player for Arsenal Looking to the future: Wenger's side remains one of the most promising in the Premier League

‘Every situation is different. I was in that situation with Robin van Persie last year but Van Persie had a one-year contract so the situation was a bit different. Every club has its own way to deal with things. We have our own way and we respect that all the other clubs.’



Wenger admitted that Arsenal’s Champions League eliminator against Fenerbahce is a ‘strange situation’ considering the Turkish club could win the tie and still be thrown out of the competition if their appeal against a two-year ban for match-fixing allegations is thrown out later this month.



‘It’s a strange situation,’ said Wenger. ‘They are basically suspended. It is a strange situation in different ways.



Previous: Wenger knows what Brendan Rodgers is going through, having sold Robin van Persie last summer



'They have been suspended to play in Europe, have appealed to a tribunal to the Arbitration of Sport. On top of that, nobody knows if they lose the case what will happen. It’s a very strange situation.



‘But it’s a difficult draw. Fenerbahce is a strong team with history in the Champions League. They have good players who have played in England – Yobo, Dirk Kuyt.



‘I looked at their squad and there is a lot of experience. We need to have a good performance and I am confident we can go through but it is a big task.’



Wenger also gave an update on Jack Wilshere, saying he would have no qualms if he was to play some part in England's friendly with Scotland on Wednesday.

