Wenger convinced Gunners set for title

ARSENAL may have been written off as title contenders before a ball has been kicked in anger but Arsene Wenger is ‘‘convinced’’ the Gunners will be celebrating a first title since 2004 come next May.

The sales of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to big-spending Manchester City for a combined tally of £39 million (€45m) and Wenger’s failure — with exception of Thomas Vermaelen, the defender signed for £10m (€11.6m) from Ajax — to bring in reinforcements to a talented but inexperienced squad has raised questions about Arsenal’s ability to remain in the top four, let alone launch a sustained title challenge.

Wenger, however, insists his side will have the last laugh. “I envisage only one order,” the 59-year-old insisted. “That is Arsenal finishing on top and all the rest can do what they want. We are a team who has a way to play and we are a team who are ready to fight.”

When asked whether he thought Arsenal were better than the other teams challenging for the title, the Frenchman replied: “We are, I’m convinced of that.’’

And while many believe a lack of experience will again prevent Arsenal from mounting a genuine title challenge, Wenger believes the squad’s youth could be the club’s trump card.

“A team which averages 28 or 29 years old can maybe improve by 5% but a team averaging 22 years old can improve by 30%. Will we achieve that or not? That’s always a question mark and it’s very difficult to rate before the season has started,’’ he said.

“But I’m very confident because we have quality, we have attitude, we have talent and we have ambition. I am confident we will do very well.”

Despite insisting he can spend the money brought in by the sales of Adebayor and Toure, Wenger has reiterated he will only go into the transfer market “if we find better players than the ones we have already and at the moment”.

And despite Arsenal’s lack of success in recent seasons Wenger, who became Arsenal manager in 1996, insists he’s happy in north London — even if his wife Annie has to put up with a football-obsessed husband.

“A night without a game of football on television leaves me a little bit disillusioned. England is a good country because it gets dark early in winter, you go home and you’re in an environment where you want to watch television.

“That’s always a pleasure — I got that from a very young age. My wife understands my passion and is ready to pay the price.”