Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has predicted a tight contest in next season’s Premier League title race (Arsenal 6/1 to win the Premier League title).
The French tactician believes the likes of Aston Villa (200/1), Spurs (50/1) and Manchester City (6/1) will join the usual suspects in the battle for the league next season and believes the campaign will be more “intense” than last season.
“It will without a doubt be more intense,” said Wenger. “You have Aston Villa, you have Man City, you have Tottenham and you have Liverpool (10/1) plus the top three from last season, so it will always be more difficult.”
Wenger’s men managed to keep up with the pace set by Manchester United (2/1) and Chelsea (13/8f) until around April last season, when an injury to Cesc Fabregas in their Champions League defeat to Barcelona proved costly for the Gunners.
Fabregas is expected to move back to Camp Nou, having spent his youth career with Barcelona, during the summer, although Wenger has still not given up hope of retaining the Spaniard’s services. The loss of Fabregas will surely dent Arsenal’s hopes ahead of next season, although they can expect to receive a hefty-fee for the midfielder as he still has a number of years left on his current deal.
The Arsenal chief has hinted he is ready to spend big this summer in a bid to bring the title back to the Emirates, with the Gunners last Premier League title success coming in the 2003/2004 season. Wenger has already added striker Marouane Chamakh to his ranks, the Moroccan hitman operates as a target man and many suggested that was an aspect the Arsenal side had been lacking over the course of last season.
The Frenchman has also stated he is keen to bolster his defence, with Bolton?s Gary Cahill and Fulham?s Brede Hangeland linked, while Barca?s Yaya Toure has also been tipped to head to north London during the summer.
Wenger will be keen to add some silverware to the Arsenal trophy cabinet next season, with their last title the 2004 FA Cup, but he is well aware it will be tough in the 2010/2011 campaign.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has already proved a shrewd operator in the transfer market with the acquisition of promising youngster Adam Johnson, who narrowly missed out on a place in the England World Cup squad. Mancini is sure to be busy this summer as he looks to mould a side of his own at Eastlands and a number of top stars have been linked with a move to City.
Chelsea and Manchester United will again be strong, despite the latter?s reported financial worries, while Liverpool remain an unknown quantity until they appoint a new boss (Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is the 10/11f to take charge at Anfield) and the futures of stars such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are resolved.
Spurs showed their quality throughout last season but with wins against Arsenal and Chelsea in the final stages of the season they perhaps suggested they could push on again next season, although Villa boss Martin O?Neill may be more concerned about keeping hold of his stars, with James Milner attracting interest, than securing new additions at this stage.
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