Blues deserve to be champs but we’re gaining: Wenger

ARSENE Wenger believes Chelsea are worthy Premiership champions — but has every confidence his emerging side will soon be title challengers again.

He said: “Chelsea have been the most consistent. They had more deeper periods than last year, but they still had enough consistency. As champions, they are the team to beat.

“This year we have been very, very far [away from Chelsea], but I feel the team has come a lot closer in the last few months. That is the target we will have next year in front of us, to show that we can be champions. I feel that teams like Manchester United and Liverpool have come closer this year.”

Arsenal head into tonight’s Premiership clash with relegated Sunderland looking to keep the pressure up on Tottenham.

Wenger remains confident his side can still overhaul Martin Jol’s men to claim a top-four finish and end the debate over Champions League qualification ahead of their trip to Paris next month.

He declared: “I feel it is better to secure fourth spot before we play the final. We have still two options available — and we want to take the two.

“We have a short one, a concentrated one on 90 minutes, and of course a longer one. We do not neglect any chance to do it, but of course the most attractive one is the short version.”