Wenger’s double vision

ARSENE WENGER declared that the history books would show just how good his record-breaking Arsenal side really are as he set his sights on a Premiership and Champions League double.

Wenger believes that it is possible for his team to succeed both at home and abroad, having seen how close Bayer Leverkusen came last season to matching Manchester United’s 1999 treble.

Having gone an entire Premiership campaign without losing away from home and also set a record for consecutive league wins, they are now closing in on another record.

For a goal at Charlton today would eclipse Manchester City’s 66-year-old record of scoring in 44 consecutive top-flight games.

‘‘It’s a consequence of our positive attitude. We always go to win the game,’’ declared Wenger.

‘‘All the rule changes have been quite positive for the teams in an offensive way, but the fact that we are the only ones doing that is still a mystery.

‘‘The team know how good they are and they get a lot of credit at the moment but I think historically we will get even more. ‘‘People always speak about the outstanding team in 1970 but then everyone thought it was normal. The records we are beating show how difficult all this is to achieve.

‘‘We are determined to show we are an historical team. The rest is down to people who judge. We are not judges, we just try to give our best and I think we’re doing it quite well.

‘‘Of course, being remembered in the history of the club is one of our targets. The amazing thing about this team is they are doing very well but there is still big room for improvement.’’

One way to ensure that Arsenal are remembered as a great team is to finally win the Champions League, having not gone further than the quarter-finals in the past four seasons.

Wenger is equally targeting the Premiership and Champions League this season, believing that success at home is the best way of boosting confidence levels in Europe.

He therefore believes it would be possible to win both trophies in the same season, given that Leverkusen came so close before finally ending up with nothing.

‘‘I don’t think it’s impossible at all. The first objective is to win the championship but it’s possible,’’ stressed Wenger.

‘‘Leverkusen were very close to doing it last season but they also had the cup and that was possibly the killer for them. He realises the difficult nature of the task ahead of his team, with Manchester United’s faltering start to the season having showing the strength in depth of the Premiership.

‘‘I agree with Sir Alex Ferguson when he says it’s difficult for everyone. It’s not a sign that United are weaker, but that the Premier League is stronger,’’ insisted the Frenchman.

Charlton’s 4-2 victory at Highbury on November 4 last year was similarly proof that even the best sides can get beaten at any stage.

‘‘Maybe that was the lowest point of last season. Who would have predicted after that game what would happen to the game? Nobody,’’ said Wenger.

‘‘Belief was very low but the team learned a lot from and this is now a good chance to show we are a different team compared to the this time last season.’’