Arsene Wenger has thanked Arsenal's fans for their 'trust' - and
promised a much more competitive team to watch at Emirates Stadium
next season.
The Gunners boss returns to work this week with several key issues
to resolve ahead of pre-season training next month.
The future of captain Thierry Henry - a reported target for both AC
Milan and Barcelona - is top of the agenda, while Wenger must also
recruit a new director of football as well as deal with the
continued speculation surrounding a takeover, an Arab consortium
the latest big-money link.
Wenger, 57, has already moved to reassure fans he has no intention
of quitting the club in the wake of the shock departure of
vice-chairman and close friend David Dein.
The Arsenal boss stressed there was 'absolutely no need to panic'
and remains confident of the prospects for next season.
Wenger has long lauded the potential of his current squad, and
insists he will only add players of 'exceptional' quality.
The Frenchman remains confident this Arsenal side are on the verge
of greatness.
'I would like to thank the fans because they have been consistent
in their support to our team - week in, week out, 60,000 turn up at
the Emirates even when we were out of the championship race,'
Wenger said in the Arsenal end of season DVD `Young Guns', out
today in all Arsenal stores and via home shopping.
'First I would like to thank them for the way they trust us and
promise them that we will come back next season and fulfil all
their hopes and at least give everything to do it.'
Wenger accepts it took his team some time to adapt to their new
surroundings - a trait which more than played its part in their
lack of impact on the Barclays Premiership title race last
season.
The Arsenal manager, however, knew it was a move which had to come
to safeguard the long-term future of the club and see them compete
at the very highest level, both on and off the pitch.
Wenger said: 'Because it is of course massive, it is big, more
comfort. You lose a little bit that kind of compact atmosphere that
you get still at Anfield - but on the other hand it has such a huge
potential for the club to develop to a top level that is
needed.
'It was needed and its fantastic.'
The likes of Cesc Fabregas, 20, and Kolo Toure, 26, both penned new
deals during last season. This summer there were also contract
extensions for full-back Emmanuel Eboue and striker Emmanuel
Adebayor.
Wenger feels such driving ambition goes a long way to 'make' a
club.
'They are top-class players, top-class personalities and they are
winners,' said Wenger. 'At the end of the day those who make the
clubs win first of all must have a burning internal desire to
win.
'Winning must mean something to you. If your job is to win football
games, it must mean something to you and for them both it is a big,
big signification.'
I believe in him! 