Arsenal start season with some questioning Wenger

LONDON (AP):

Arsenal again head into a new Premier League season with a promising squad of young players. The difference this year is that fans seem to be wondering if Arsene Wenger is still the man to guide them.

The Gunners were in contention for four trophies but fell apart, after losing February's League Cup final to Birmingham, which was eventually relegated. For the first time in his 15 years at the club, many supporters who regularly proclaimed the mantra "Arsene knows" began to really question Wenger.

"The last part was the toughest season in my career," Wenger said. "Emotionally, it was very difficult because we were on a low and then you could see the last three or four weeks were very difficult."

But things could get even tougher this time around. Captain Cesc Fabregas may yet depart for Barcelona and preseason has already exposed the defensive weaknesses about which fans have long complained.

Fourth place

Arsenal slipped to fourth place last season - 12 points behind champions Manchester United - and some supporters are predicting the team could finish outside the top four for the first time since Wenger arrived in 1996.

Despite calls for high-profile, ready-made stars to bolster the squad, Wenger is resolutely sticking to his principles and believes his squad is strong enough to compete for honours.

"I'm very happy with the way we do things and the players we develop and what we try to achieve," Wenger said. "Unfortunately, last year we finished with a bitter taste in our mouth. But we know we were very, very close.

"It's down to how much you want it."

While many fans are questioning the wisdom of Wenger's approach, others are mindful that Arsenal only won two league titles in 25 years before the Frenchman's arrival in 1996. Even those unhappy at a trophy-less streak going back to the 2005 FA Cup are short on names to replace him.

"I know some people had a go at Arsene recently," former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry said. "I don't know when it is going to happen but we all know that one day he is going to have to stop or go.

"But the boss changed the face of the club and, for me, I would keep Arsene for life."