Wenger talks up Arsenal's title credentials

Arsene Wenger insists his burgeoning Arsenal side will figure in the race for the Premier League title this season.

The Frenchman and his team were all but written off following an opening day defeat to Aston Villa, but the Gunners have responded with nine straight wins in all competitions and now head the Premier League by two points after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Swansea City.

The entire club has been galvanised by the club-record €50 million signing of Mesut Ozil, but
Wenger believes Arsenal’s upsurge in from started long before the German’s arrival and is confident his team can compete for what would be their first league title in a decade. 

"It's terrible to lose the first game of this season but that was the first one we had lost since March," Wenger told reporters. "I was proven right by the fact that, after that [Villa defeat], we have responded in a positive way. We have improved. We have good stability."

"We have the desire of course. You see that as well," the Arsenal manager said. "But it's an early stage with just six games played. After the first game, I would have taken 15 points today. Let's just try to keep going.

"We have a chance. It's very open. There are maybe six or seven teams. You can even add Everton to the top four, plus Liverpool and Tottenham.

"It will be very interesting. Today, what has changed compared to years before maybe, is that when playing at 80 per cent you cannot win against any team in the Premier League. You have to be between 95 and 100 - and that promises a very interesting season."