'Arsenal is ready to challenge for title'

LONDON (AP):

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his team is ready to challenge for the English Premier League title.

The Gunners have failed to compete seriously since they went unbeaten through the 2003-04 season but Wenger thinks that another year's experience and minor tweaks to his squad will put his young players in contention for honours.

"The money will not be an excuse for us if we do not achieve our targets," Wenger said. "Do I have a team I think can play at the top? I say, 'Yes'.

"I judge my players are ready to compete for the championship."

With Netherlands striker Robin van Persie back after missing five months last season because of injury, so is captain Cesc Fabregas despite Barcelona's attempts to sign him.

Fabregas is contracted to Arsenal until the end of the 2014-15 season, and Arsenal thwarted Barcelona after refusing to negotiate even in the face of bids of up to €40 million (US$52 million).

World Cup-winning captain

Having retained their World Cup-winning captain, the Gunners can look beyond securing a 15th straight top-four spot and compete with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City for the title.

Chelsea and City have greater financial muscle than Arsenal, but Wenger has been slowly building his team since dismantling the 'Unbeatables', and the players - mostly either youth team graduates or low-profile signings - have grown with status each year.

"If the other clubs have more money or less money, it is not so important for me," Wenger said. "What is important is 'do the other clubs have better players or worse players than us?'

"At the end of August, we will have the players we need to compete at the top level."

Wenger is confident that the likes of Samir Nasri, Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Eboue, Abou Diaby and Denilson will have gained enough confidence and experience from last season's third-place finish to overcome their shortcomings in bigger games.

Arsenal were mostly derailed last season by losses to the sides immediately around them in the standings. The Gunners picked up just four points from a possible 24 against the other top-five sides.

Improvement

Arsenal outplayed United at Old Trafford at the end of August and led at half-time but lost 2-1 after conceding an own goal and a penalty to a more experienced side.

"As a player and as a team, you have to improve," said central defender Thomas Vermaelen, who excelled in his debut year last season. "It was OK, but there is still room for improvement. What I learned from last season is you need a lot of players.

"We are one year older and more experienced."

Midfielder Jack Wilshere benefited from four months on loan at Bolton last season and looks likely to have a bigger impact this time.

"I think I will keep him," Wenger said. "Bolton wanted him again. He can play on the flank or in the middle; deeper or wider as well. He should get a few games."

Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh has joined on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Bordeaux and his debut performance in a friendly against AC Milan hinted that he may adapt more readily to English football than the man he replaces - Eduardo da Silva.