BRUCE RIOCH has virtually admitted that the reason for Arsenal's shock absence from the Premiership's frenzied transfer market whirl this summer was to save all their, cash for a single swoop for Alan Shearer.
Rioch told Gunners magazine, the club's in house publication. While I was on holiday recently director of the club rang me an said he knew of a top player who might be about to leave his club and asked if I would be interested.
"I said yes, because, although he would cost an awful lot of money I was certain the Arsenal public would enjoy him and that he would make a major impact on the club.
"It was no good us then spending £3 million here, £3 million there, because that would erode, the money we needed for this one.
The interview was, of course, conducted before the weekend when it became clear that Shearer was heading in only one direction back to the north east and his home town club, Newcastle United.
And although Shearer's name is never mentioned in the text of the interview with Rioch, there can be little doubt that the England striker is the man he is talking about.
Now, with Shearer out of the equation, it seems likely that Arsenal will finally part with some cash. That is, provided they can find suitable targets at this stage, just 18 days before the start of the season.
Arsenal have not bought or sold a player since Swedish international Stefan Schwarz went to Fiorentina for £2.5 million last July. A month earlier, the Highbury club bought Dennis Bergkamp and David Platt.
Transfer problems aside, last night Rioch revealed he has committed his future to Highbury. Rioch admitted he has signed a contract with the London club most 14 months after he arrived from Bolton.
The Scot would not say how long the contract was for, but last year, when he arrived, it was a four year deal that was on the table.
"I have signed a contract with Arsenal," said Rioch, after last night's 2-1 defeat by Celtic in a pre-season friendly in Glasgow. "I am now waiting for the club to counter-sign the document."
Arsenal who scored first through Lee Dixon after 26 minute's were destroyed by a late Celtic salvo when Simon Donnelly and Phil O'Donnell scored to clinch it for Celtic.
Rioch also said he hopes to sign two players in the next fort night before the August 15th deadline for the UEFA Cup first round.
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer joined his Newcastle team mates' for the first time yesterday for a light training session. He seemed relaxed and smiled as he posed for photographers in Singapore with manager Kevin Keegan and coach Terry McDermott.
Earlier, Keegan said Shearer will probably make his debut for Newcastle in the Charity Shield a week on Sunday.
