Wenger in optimistic mood ahead of new season

Bruno Salla

After two successive wins against Paris St. Germain and Inter Milan last weekend Arsenal lifted The Emirates Cup, hardly the most prestigious piece of silverware but a triumph that boosted Arsene Wenger's confidence in his much criticised youth system. GettyImages Pre-season glory: Arsenal lift the Emirates Cup ESPNSoccernet caught up with the charismatic Frenchman as he reflected on victory in the pre-season tournament and revealed his thoughts and ambitions for the coming season. ESPNSoccernet: Arsenal won the Emirates Cup. What does that mean for the club only two weeks before the Premiership restarts? Arsene Wenger: 'It was an important win for us. We were missing a lot of key players going into the tournament like Rosicky, Adebayor, Walcott, Djourou and Eduardo but you could see that the players we had at our disposal still formed a very strong unit. I always had faith in this team and what I saw during the tournament confirmed my confidence that we can pull off something big this season. I am very optimistic.' ESPNSoccernet: However, that wasn't always the case following a season without trophies plus the departures of Thierry Henry and David Dein. At one stage there were also rumours that you were on the verge of leaving the club. Is Arsenal in a state of crisis at the moment? Arsene Wenger: 'From the outside it is easy to get that impression. But on the inside we are working, and we are very determined. The rumours that were created were based on the friendship I had with Thierry Henry and David. But I am responsible for the technical development of the club and it was important that I remained in my place.' ESPNSoccernet: Your contract runs out at the end of this season and you haven't signed an extension yet. Why? Arsene Wenger: 'It is not the right time to discuss that. But when I came here in 1996 nobody had thought that I would stay for such a long time here.' ESPNSoccernet: After Manchester United, United, Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham, Manchester City were recently purchased by a billionaire (The former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra). But Arsenal has resisted any outside attempts to buy the club. And the result is that club is leading a very withdrawn existence in the transfer market. Arsene Wenger: 'Everybody knew that the competition on the transfer market would be extremely tough with the enormous amounts which clubs invest in players these days. But we wanted to take a different path than the rest of the clubs with emphasis on our young players. At the same time we did not have the luxury of investing heavily because of our financial restrictions. Besides, people should remember that Manchester United did not spend a lot of money recruiting last season and they won the title. I think that says it all, right?' ESPNSoccernet: But that is why Thierry Henry left. Because of the missing promises to bring in any big players. Arsene Wenger: 'Neither Arsenal nor I make promises to anybody. A club functions best if everyone sticks to their job. I am in charge of the technical part. Not the financial part. Everybody must stick to their role and a player cannot intervene. But at the moment of his departure I did not get the feeling that Henry was unhappy about our recruitment policy. Henry left because he wanted to leave the club. Besides, I took time to thank him for everything he did for the club. But the club also did a lot for him. Nobody stays here forever.' ESPNSoccernet: Following the departure of David Dein, you took over all the transfer negotiations. How did that affect you physically and psychologically? Arsene Wenger: 'Yes, you are right. It is very demanding. I was extremely occupied during the summer but this is the case every summer. What I hate is all the paperwork that takes such a long time. But somebody has now taken the place of David Dein and he is in charge of all the negotiations.' ESPNSoccernet: You have been a big believer in the return of Anelka to Arsenal. And he also wants to come back. But he hasn't signed yet. Has Peter Hill-Wood laid down a veto against this move? Arsene Wenger: 'The President has not said no. I can get Anelka if I want. But we chose Eduardo instead because it was easier to work with a player who had no prior history at the club. Besides, we have plenty of strikers with Eduardo, Bendtner, Adebayor et Van Persie.' ESPNSoccernet: It is now two years since Arsenal has won a trophy. Is that acceptable? Arsene Wenger: 'What people don't understand is that we played in a new stadium and my players needed to adapt to that. But of course it was completely unacceptable that we were 16 points behind the league leaders by the end of October. This season I want us to compete for the title. We want to be respected for our style of play. And I will try to apply the tactics that respects the philosophy of the club. It was very interesting to see what we accomplished in the Carling Cup. It is a good competition to develop young players. But it is not a major trophy. What we are interested in is solely the English title and the Champions League.' ESPNSoccernet: Thierry Henry has said that Arsenal could win the English title this season. What do you think about that. Arsene Wenger: 'It is not bad for a club in crisis to get such a vote of confidence from one of your players. When I see the number of talents that we have at this club it gives me reason for being optimistic. We have world-class players and we have compensated for the departures from the club. We are very well prepared. I am very excited!'