Arsenal face competition from Inter Milan for Olympique Marseille winger Andre Ayew.
Wenger denied his interest in the Ghana ace last month, but continues to be linked with the midfielder.
Corriere dello Sport says Inter president Massimo Moratti will go head-to-head with Arsenal for Ayew when the transfer market reopens in January.
"I'd be lying if I said I'm not proud of the beautiful words of Wenger," he said of praise from Wenger last week.