WON FOR THE ROAD
Gunners legend Wenger believes his former club can take the title again this season – as long as they improve their form away from the Emirates
ARSENE WENGER believes Arsenal can sustain a title challenge this season – because he left Unai Emery a strong hand.
Six months after he departed the Emirates, the man who built the Invincibles says his successor inherited a squad with the firepower to become champions.
Breaking cover at Wembley, where he won the FA Cup five times among his 10 major trophies – including three titles – Wenger insists the Gunners were only let down by their poor away form in his farewell season.
Emery’s run of 11 consecutive wins was halted by Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
But Arsenal have scored some glorious goals, notably Aaron Ramsey’s back-heeled showstopper at Fulham and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s exhilarating second against Leicester, and Le Professeur feels he deserves credit for the team he left behind.
Wenger, who did not sound bitter about the manner of his 22-year reign coming to an end last season, said: “I’m a supporter. When Arsenal win, I’m happy. I still want Arsenal to win matches.
“I worked very hard and dedicated my life for this club to be in a good shape when I left – I think that is what I did.
“As a manager, you always have an influence on individual players, the style of play and results – but also the structure of the club.
“Overall I think it’s important the club can always continue at a very good level.” Asked whether Arsenal could maintain a genuine challenge for the Premier League crown they last won under Wenger 14 years ago, the Frenchman said: “Yes, why not?
“You know, when you look at the last season we have had at home, we had championship form because we won 15 games, two draws and two defeats. It was away from home where we were not so good.
“But the quality is there – we went to the League Cup final and the semi-finals in the Europa League, which we could have won, but the strength of the team was there.” Wenger, 69 last week, also ruled himself out of the running to succeed the sacked Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid, saying: “I don’t know what I will do next year but, look, I am not the Real Madrid manager.
“I will be back in football and back in sport. I have a huge experience, and a huge desire to share what I know about the game.
“What is important for me is the people who need it.
“Where? I don’t know, but I can only say it will be in the new year.”