Arsène Wenger: my record for nurturing talent at Arsenal is second to none

The 60 year-old said that some other managers acted as if it "looks like we are in a business where the quality is to lose money" but insisted that although his philosophy was to behave in a "safe way" he was also not afraid to spend big if he needed to.

"I have the wrong reputation," the Arsenal manager said. "I'm not afraid to spend money. But the job of a manager is not to spend as much money [as he can]. We make a profit because we don't spend – simple as that.

"What is unbelievable is that people reproach me for making a profit, but those who lose money – no one says a word."

Wenger, whose side face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, cited the example of his summer signing, Marouane Chamakh, who moved to the Emirates "for free" from Bordeaux because he was out of contract.

"To get Chamakh for free – instead of getting credit, you get accused of getting him for free and people ask, 'Why didn't you spend £20 million for him?' If I buy him two years ago for £20 million, it's OK. But you get him for free and it's, 'Oh, he didn't spend money'."

Apart from the fact that the Moroccan striker would not have cost £20 million two years ago – and was available for £7 million last year – Arsenal supporters may argue that Wenger's determination to wait sometimes hampers the side. Last season, for example, they cried out for a central striker. This season it is an experienced goalkeeper.

However, it is Wenger's work in developing young players, starting with the academy at Monaco and then at Arsenal, that he is most passionate about. He argued that his philosophy made it easier for him to resist the "pressure" to spend.

"If I buy players, Jack Wilshere doesn't come through. So you cannot have everything, and I know that, and I'm long enough in this job to have a development policy to educate the players.

"The most difficult thing is to play them and to stand up for it, and nobody else in the world [does this as much as me]. One day I'll give you the list of those at the top-level who have made careers with me and you will see. You will be absolutely astonished."

More than any other manager or club? "Of course," Wenger said. "How do I know? Take the list of the players who started here. If you go back it's unbelievable."

He reeled off the names of Cesc Fabregas – Barcelona may dispute that – Ashley Cole, Johan Djourou, Philippe Senderos, Kieron Gibbs, Alex Song, Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy and Wilshere and then added: "When I go back to Monaco" the likes of Lilian Thuram and Emmanuel Petit. He neglected to add Thierry Henry.

But what about Manchester United? "Not recently," he claimed, although Sir Alex Ferguson may have a case to challenge Wenger's overall claim. "When I arrived [in England in 1996] nearly all their team had started [at United])."

Barcelona? "Barcelona has, but I speak about me," Wenger added, implying that the production line at Barça was institutional – not dependent on a particular coach – while he had imposed his approach on Monaco and then Arsenal.

"People say always to buy," Wenger said. "But you cannot make careers and lives for players and on top of that buy every time you have an injury."

Not that he does not make sure he knows how much money is available should be choose to spend it. "Always," he said, "always, always."

Players who were youngsters under Wenger

• Nicolas Anelka: Paris St Germain: 10/1, Arsenal: 65/23, Real Madrid: 19/2, Paris St Germain: 39/10, Liverpool (loan): 20/4, Manchester City: 89/37, Fenerbahce: 55/16, Bolton: 53/21, Chelsea: 88/33.
• David Bentley: Arsenal: 1/0, Blackburn: 102/13, Tottenham 40/3.
• Nicklas Bendtner: Arsenal 81/20, Birmingham 42/11.
• Ashley Cole: 156/8 Arsenal, 116/6 for Chelsea.
• Johan Djourou: 46/0 for Arsenal, 13/0 for Birmingham.
• Cesc Fabregas: 191/33 Arsenal.
• Kieron Gibbs: 12/0 Arsenal.
• Thierry Henry: Monaco: 105/20, Juventus: 16/3, Arsenal: 254/174, Barcelona: 80/35, New York Red Bulls: 9/2.
• Emmanuel Petit: 222/4 for Monaco, 85/9 for Arsenal, 23/1 for Barcelona, 55/2 for Chelsea.
• Lilian Thuram: 155/8 for Monaco, 163/1 for Parma, 145/1 for Juventus, 41/0 for Barcelona
• Kolo Toure: Arsenal: 225/9, Man City: 35/1.
• Matthew Upson: Arsenal: 35/0, Birmingham: 113/5, West Ham: 106/4
• Jack Wilshere: Arsenal: 7/0, Bolton: 14/1

Figures indicate top-flight appearances and goals scored.