Wenger issues new challenge to Arsenal

Manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal team to raise their game against direct title rivals and deliver a first Premier League crown for a decade.

The Gunners host managerless Crystal Palace today, and are out to make a flying start to the new campaign, with morale high following last weekend’s 3-0 win over a makeshift Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley.

After ending their nine-year barren run with an FA Cup final victory in May, Wenger is confident Arsenal — boosted by the summer signing of Chile forward Alexis Sanchez — have the platform on which to mount a sustained assault on the championship.