Arsene Wenger says it would be 'unacceptable' for Arsenal
not to be challenging for the title this season.
The Gunners have been written off as serious title hopefuls by some
critics following the departure of Thierry Henry to
Barcelona.
However, Wenger can see grounds for optimism and he insists he
expects to see his side challenging Manchester United, Chelsea and
Liverpool in the forthcoming campaign.
"An acceptable season is, first of all, for Arsenal football club
to fight for the championship," said Wenger.
"Last year, in the end of October and beginning of November when we
were 16 points off the leader, that wasn't acceptable for us.
"I want my team to fight for the championship and to do well in the
Champions League.
"Last year we showed in spells - in the Carling Cup - what we could
do, but the Carling Cup is not a major trophy. The major trophies
are the championship and the Champions League.
"I work very hard to develop this team.
"We knew we were facing major competition in England with clubs who
invest a lot of money. We knew we wanted to go a different way and
be a little bit patient.
"But, while we have a young team, we have experience. [Cesc]
Fabregas has 100 games in the Premiership. I believe we have the
quality and we must show it."
Wenger has been impressed by what he has seen from his players in
pre-season and he believes his squad is hungry for success.
"I must say the desire for success, the hunger for success, the
togetherness I've seen during pre-season has been greater than
ever," added Wenger.
"I'm very excited for the new season because what I feel and saw
during the camp for pre-season made me impatient to start.
"I'm personally very optimistic because of what I've seen inside my
squad."
Wenger also rejected claims from Freddie Ljungberg that the club
broke promises they made to him after he sealed his move to West
Ham earlier this week.
"I did not make any promises to anybody," continued Wenger.
"The company works well when everybody does what he's responsible
for.
"The player is responsible for his performance in the team, not the
policy of the club.
"I'm responsible for the technical performance of the club, not the
financial running of the club.
"No matter how big a player is, he's never responsible for the
technical policy of the club.
"Freddie left as well because he decided it was the right
moment.
"He was a great fighter for the club and did extremely well. The
club did very well for Freddie as well.
"Nobody is here forever - but football is a team's sport. That's
something magical.
"The talents we have makes us very optimistic. We can replace these
players and the spirit of the team can compensate the quality of
the world-class players we've lost."