Wenger banks on Arsenal potential

Arsène Wenger has vowed to turn Arsenal’s potential into silverware after agreeing a new three-year deal to remain in charge at the Emirates Stadium.

The deal will keep Wenger at the club until 2011 and he is understood to be earning about £4 million a season. However, for the Frenchman, the issues have never been about money, either for himself or team building.

“I have been entrusted with complete freedom to implement and execute my plans on what will make the team successful,” Wenger, who has won three league titles, four FA Cups and reached the final of the Champions League last year, said.

“I have a responsibility to the fans to deliver silverware and also a responsibility to the players to help turn our potential into prizes. I want to achieve the maximum with this team and it is young and very ambitious, and I feel I share that ambition with my team.

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“That is one of the reasons that I wanted to get a taste of how hungry this team is first before I definitely go for it. I love the job I have at Arsenal. I love to win and I feel I can win with Arsenal. My heart is tied to this football club. Arsenal is the club of my life.

“I feel I share the ambition with everybody to make Arsenal the best club in the world and that everybody works to be successful in that.

“The first season was difficult at the Emirates, but from January onwards we felt really at home. Now you can see that there is no adaptation problem any more. I feel that we can push this club even higher now.”

Wenger has faith that his latest crop of players can eclipse the achievements of the past 11 seasons. “Yes, they have the ability,” he said. “Don’t forget this squad has been in the Champions League final without losing a game.

“The first signs this season are that the team has really matured. There is a completely different attitude towards the competition. They are more responsible, more disciplined, and that can bring success.”