Holland were brutal, incurring the wrath of legends of their game like Johan Cruyff and Clarence Seedorf, and lost the match, effectively, because Johnny Heitinga was sent off.

He hauled Andrés Iniesta back once too often, saw a second yellow and when the cross from Fernando Torres came in, late in extra time, Rafa Van der Vaart fell over while trying to deputise for the absent Heitinga and the rest …. is history.

Cesc Fabregas to Iniesta and …. Gol! Gol! Gol! You probably remember it.

Grudge game

All of that is relevant to this game in the clammy heat of Salvador because of discipline.

Even though it’s likely there will be only four Dutch and perhaps seven Spaniards starting this Group B match having lined up for the World Cup final in Soccer City, there is certainly room for grudges.

For De Jong to tangle with Xabi Alonso once more, for Robben to race with Ramos, for Sneijder (who was boiling with rage after the 2010 final when I saw him outside the Dutch dressing room) to tangle with Sergio Busquets.

Losing that final, their second defeat in the world’s ultimate football match, was a bitter blow for the Oranje football nation – those playing and those watching.

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The desire to erase the blemish will be great – maybe overwhelming for some.

More, De Jong’s Bruce Lee chest-high studding of Xabi Alonso’s chest is now so iconic of that final, so famous, that any referee, presented with a De Jong foul on a Spaniard may subconsciously be quicker to ensure he doesn’t join the officiating infamy and thus quicker to show a yellow card.

Refs ARE human after all.

• Will it all kick off on DESKTOP | MOBILE 

But, as I say, discipline will give a significant advantage to the team mature enough to display it.

Spain are often thwarted or at least frustrated by packed defences and Louis Van Gaal hasn’t been experimenting with five at the back, ripping up the tactical book of his football life, in order to make Holland more open, more attacking.

So, if you look at Van Gaal’s logic, the last thing he wants is an 11 v 10 situation at any stage in the match.

Strength in numbers

He’ll din it in to his players that they compete, that they make it uncomfortable for Spain – but that they present totally different stats to the last time these sides played when Holland racked up 29 fouls, nine yellow cards and a red.

Give Spain a numerical advantage in an important match and there’s a very high chance you’ll regret it.

From the age of 15 it’s repeated endlessly to Spain’s young talents that it’s a sin to be sent off. To leave your team mates in the lurch. That your place will be hard to win back.

Spain’s last tournament match was blighted by the red card for Gerard Piqué, let’s not forget that, and Del Bosque too will be emphasizing to his men that he’ll be unforgiving of anyone who hands the already threatening Holland XI an added advantage.

Watching the world champion’s training this week I can’t help but suspect that it’s more than just the fact that Spain have only scored 14 of the 25 penalties they’ve been awarded in the Del Bosque reign which has seen them practice so many spot kicks.

• Shoot over to all the latest odds on DESKTOP | MOBILE 

Cesc Fabregas’ miss against El Salvador last weekend may have reminded the manager that it’s time for Spain to brush up skills which have seen them win shoot outs against Italy (x 2) and Portugal in three of their last five tournaments.

Fine. But there have been so many different players hitting penalties that you’d deduce Vicente Del Bosque’s scouts reckon on Holland’s inexperienced back five giving away a spot kick on Friday evening (8pm).

For those interested the order of priority which Del Bosque has set for penalty takers is: David Villa, Cesc, Alonso and then …. perhaps Ramos? We shall see.

How Spain start looks to be down to a very small refinement in midfield and attack.

Training Day

Anyone who’s seen training would be surprised if the 4-3-3 formation doesn’t line up: Casillas; Azpilicueta, Piqué, Ramos, Alba: Xavi/Koke, Busquets, Alonso; Silva, Costa/Fabregas, Iniesta.

As terrific as Koke has looked in all the work-outs this week, all nimble feet and clever options taken when the ball comes to him plus a robust, shrewd presence in midfield defensive work, Del Bosque thinks so highly of Xavi that it’d be a surprise to see him benched at the start of the tournament.

Rotated as the World Cup evolves? Okay. Regularly playing only 55-65 minutes? Fine. But left out for the first game with all the attendant media coverage. I struggle to imagine it.

The ‘centre forward’ position is at least as intriguing. The last major game when Del Bosque was faced with an opponent using five at the back was the opener of Euro 2012 against Italy and he chose to unpick Cesare Prandelli’s side with Cesc Fabregas at ‘false 9′.

It’s clearly an option again and the (soon to be former?) Barcelona man not only scored that day but, with Villa, Iniesta, Silva and Torres, has scored this week in training matches.

The counter to that is that Del Bosque left out a real favourite in Jesús Navas because of fears that he might ‘re-injure’ himself.

Yet Diego Costa was not only included in the 23 man travelling party he started against El Salvador and played the large majority of the match despite having limped off in the Champions League final with the recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Costa’s in the frame

All of that indicates that the Spain manager really wants to use Costa and that the Brazilian-born centre forward presents the type of threat which Spain have shown less regularly in recent years.

Those who played with Costa last Saturday in Washington told me that the ball was played ‘earlier’ to him and from longer distance because he is so good at losing his marker.

Perhaps he starts as a slight favourite to face Holland – but I don’t think the decision will be taken until match-day.

In the Confederations Cup a year ago, Spain began their match with Uruguay with the power and direction of a runaway train.

For 75 minutes it was best to just get out of their way. But they tired and Uruguay defended for their lives to the extend that the match only finished 2-1 with Spain unable to convert footballing dominance into a firm, nerveless, energy-saving win.

I’d see something similar occurring here in Salvador on Friday evening. Those tempted to look down the list of odds for less quoted scorers might be tempted by Pedro.

Not guarantee of any game time, he’s nevertheless someone who not only MIGHT start – he’s likely to be asked to supply the missing Navas magic by coming on for the last 25 minutes to test Holland with his blistering pace.

He’s also Spain’s top scorer over the last 18 months – burying chances which might have slid past for Barcelona.

A game the holders could lose? Yes, there’s definitely banana-skin potential.

A game they will lose? I’m not too sure about that. Goals from Ramos, Pedro and Robben and Spain off to a better start than four years ago.

• Spain to win 2-1 is 8/1 with Paddy Power.
• Pedro to score first 13/2 or anytime 5/2

Shoot over here for all the latest odds on Spain v Holland

Holland were brutal, incurring the wrath of legends of their game like Johan Cruyff and Clarence Seedorf, and lost the match, effectively, because Johnny Heitinga was sent off.

He hauled Andrés Iniesta back once too often, saw a second yellow and when the cross from Fernando Torres came in, late in extra time, Rafa Van der Vaart fell over while trying to deputise for the absent Heitinga and the rest …. is history.

Cesc Fabregas to Iniesta and …. Gol! Gol! Gol! You probably remember it.

Grudge game

All of that is relevant to this game in the clammy heat of Salvador because of discipline.

Even though it’s likely there will be only four Dutch and perhaps seven Spaniards starting this Group B match having lined up for the World Cup final in Soccer City, there is certainly room for grudges.

For De Jong to tangle with Xabi Alonso once more, for Robben to race with Ramos, for Sneijder (who was boiling with rage after the 2010 final when I saw him outside the Dutch dressing room) to tangle with Sergio Busquets.

Losing that final, their second defeat in the world’s ultimate football match, was a bitter blow for the Oranje football nation – those playing and those watching.

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The desire to erase the blemish will be great – maybe overwhelming for some.

More, De Jong’s Bruce Lee chest-high studding of Xabi Alonso’s chest is now so iconic of that final, so famous, that any referee, presented with a De Jong foul on a Spaniard may subconsciously be quicker to ensure he doesn’t join the officiating infamy and thus quicker to show a yellow card.

Refs ARE human after all.

• Will it all kick off on DESKTOP | MOBILE 

But, as I say, discipline will give a significant advantage to the team mature enough to display it.

Spain are often thwarted or at least frustrated by packed defences and Louis Van Gaal hasn’t been experimenting with five at the back, ripping up the tactical book of his football life, in order to make Holland more open, more attacking.

So, if you look at Van Gaal’s logic, the last thing he wants is an 11 v 10 situation at any stage in the match.

Strength in numbers

He’ll din it in to his players that they compete, that they make it uncomfortable for Spain – but that they present totally different stats to the last time these sides played when Holland racked up 29 fouls, nine yellow cards and a red.

Give Spain a numerical advantage in an important match and there’s a very high chance you’ll regret it.

From the age of 15 it’s repeated endlessly to Spain’s young talents that it’s a sin to be sent off. To leave your team mates in the lurch. That your place will be hard to win back.

Spain’s last tournament match was blighted by the red card for Gerard Piqué, let’s not forget that, and Del Bosque too will be emphasizing to his men that he’ll be unforgiving of anyone who hands the already threatening Holland XI an added advantage.

Watching the world champion’s training this week I can’t help but suspect that it’s more than just the fact that Spain have only scored 14 of the 25 penalties they’ve been awarded in the Del Bosque reign which has seen them practice so many spot kicks.

• Shoot over to all the latest odds on DESKTOP | MOBILE 

Cesc Fabregas’ miss against El Salvador last weekend may have reminded the manager that it’s time for Spain to brush up skills which have seen them win shoot outs against Italy (x 2) and Portugal in three of their last five tournaments.

Fine. But there have been so many different players hitting penalties that you’d deduce Vicente Del Bosque’s scouts reckon on Holland’s inexperienced back five giving away a spot kick on Friday evening (8pm).

For those interested the order of priority which Del Bosque has set for penalty takers is: David Villa, Cesc, Alonso and then …. perhaps Ramos? We shall see.

How Spain start looks to be down to a very small refinement in midfield and attack.

Training Day

Anyone who’s seen training would be surprised if the 4-3-3 formation doesn’t line up: Casillas; Azpilicueta, Piqué, Ramos, Alba: Xavi/Koke, Busquets, Alonso; Silva, Costa/Fabregas, Iniesta.

As terrific as Koke has looked in all the work-outs this week, all nimble feet and clever options taken when the ball comes to him plus a robust, shrewd presence in midfield defensive work, Del Bosque thinks so highly of Xavi that it’d be a surprise to see him benched at the start of the tournament.

Rotated as the World Cup evolves? Okay. Regularly playing only 55-65 minutes? Fine. But left out for the first game with all the attendant media coverage. I struggle to imagine it.

The ‘centre forward’ position is at least as intriguing. The last major game when Del Bosque was faced with an opponent using five at the back was the opener of Euro 2012 against Italy and he chose to unpick Cesare Prandelli’s side with Cesc Fabregas at ‘false 9′.

It’s clearly an option again and the (soon to be former?) Barcelona man not only scored that day but, with Villa, Iniesta, Silva and Torres, has scored this week in training matches.

The counter to that is that Del Bosque left out a real favourite in Jesús Navas because of fears that he might ‘re-injure’ himself.

Yet Diego Costa was not only included in the 23 man travelling party he started against El Salvador and played the large majority of the match despite having limped off in the Champions League final with the recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Costa’s in the frame

All of that indicates that the Spain manager really wants to use Costa and that the Brazilian-born centre forward presents the type of threat which Spain have shown less regularly in recent years.

Those who played with Costa last Saturday in Washington told me that the ball was played ‘earlier’ to him and from longer distance because he is so good at losing his marker.

Perhaps he starts as a slight favourite to face Holland – but I don’t think the decision will be taken until match-day.

In the Confederations Cup a year ago, Spain began their match with Uruguay with the power and direction of a runaway train.

For 75 minutes it was best to just get out of their way. But they tired and Uruguay defended for their lives to the extend that the match only finished 2-1 with Spain unable to convert footballing dominance into a firm, nerveless, energy-saving win.

I’d see something similar occurring here in Salvador on Friday evening. Those tempted to look down the list of odds for less quoted scorers might be tempted by Pedro.

Not guarantee of any game time, he’s nevertheless someone who not only MIGHT start – he’s likely to be asked to supply the missing Navas magic by coming on for the last 25 minutes to test Holland with his blistering pace.

He’s also Spain’s top scorer over the last 18 months – burying chances which might have slid past for Barcelona.

A game the holders could lose? Yes, there’s definitely banana-skin potential.

A game they will lose? I’m not too sure about that. Goals from Ramos, Pedro and Robben and Spain off to a better start than four years ago.

• Spain to win 2-1 is 8/1 with Paddy Power.
• Pedro to score first 13/2 or anytime 5/2

Shoot over here for all the latest odds on Spain v Holland

The Spanish head into the competition as one of the heavy favourites – a position they would not have been at all familiar with up until 2008 when they ended their reputation as underachievers by winning the Euros.

Spain’s success has come from the dominance of Barcelona in the club game and the national side is unsurprisingly dotted with a number of stars from the Nou Camp.

Playmakers Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas are all likely to feature heavily against the Azzurri at the PGE Arena but Spain will still be missing one crucial Barca star.

Striker David Villa has been ruled out of the tournament through injury and head coach Vicente del Bosque will have to look for goals elsewhere, with Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente (9/2 – First Goalscorer) and Pedro Rodriguez all vying for a starting role.

As for Italy they come into this tournament on the back of a torrid run of form, with the former European powerhouse suffering a 3-0 defeat in their final friendly against Russia before the competition in Poland and Ukraine.

Before that the Azzurri were on the wrong end of 1-0 defeats to both the United States and Uruguay and confidence will not be that high in the Italian camp ahead of their opener with Spain (3/1 – Euro 2012 Outright).

However, write Italy off at your peril, as they still have plenty of experience in their ranks, especially in defence and midfield, with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi in the middle of the park and Giorgio Chiellini and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon at the back.

The worry for the for the 2006 World Cup winners will be a lack of goals in attack, with Mario Balotelli (8/1 – First Goalscorer), Antonio Cassano and Antonio Di Natale, in 74 appearances between them, only scoring 20 goals.

Italy always have the ability to keep clean sheets but if they fail to threaten the Spanish defence, which is questionable at times, they will struggle to get their campaign in Group C off to a winning start.

With the Republic of Ireland and Croatia battling in this group as well, the winner of Sunday’s encounter in Gdansk will certainly go a long way in deciding who will go through to the knockout stages of the competition as group winners.

Italy (14/1 – Euro 2012 Outright) have lost only eight of their 29 encounters with Spain, as they have proved difficult to beat against the defending champions, but with the Barca stars in their ranks, del Bosque should be celebrating an opening win in Group C.

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Portugal

Portugal, 3/1 to beat Germany, were dumped out of the competition at the last-eight stage four years ago and know a defeat in this clash, with tough matches against Holland and Denmark to come, will leave them struggling to make the knockout stage.

They face a much-fancied German outfit (Evens, draw 12/5) in Lviv, with many people tipping a win for Joachim Low’s men to get their tournament challenge off to a positive start and, sadly for Paulo Bento’s side, we see it going the same way.

Germany were written off by some before both the Euros in Austria and Switzerland and the subsequent World Cup in South Africa two years ago but proved once again just how good a tournament side they are by only losing to eventual winners Spain in both competitions.

This time around and no-one is making the mistake of underestimating a squad that contains the talents of Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski – to name just five – and they will hope to live up to expectations and be real contenders for the crown this summer.

Portugal, in contrast, only just about made it through to Poland and Ukraine via the play-offs and finished behind fellow group members Denmark in qualifying.

That has predictably led to claims they will struggle in a group containing the quality of Holland and Germany while the lack of a top centre-forward has been cited as one of the reasons why an early exit could loom.

The likes of Nelson Oliveira, Hugo Almeida and the experienced-but-inconsistent Helger Postiga do not exactly strike fear into opposition defenders, but there is real quality elsewhere in the camp.

Cristiano Ronaldo (5/1 to score first/last) is the obvious talisman and, if he produces his dazzling best, the Real Madrid man’s individual brillance can sometimes win games on its own. Premier League stars Nani and Raul Meireles are also impressive performers and, it it all clicks, they might just spring a surprise.

A victory over Germany on Saturday would certainly be one but, as Podolski has predicted, we see this going Germany’s way and the striker’s prediction of a 2-0 win also looks good value at 8/1.

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Manchester City

City’s draw at Stoke City last weekend has been painted as two points dropped by most of the media, but not many teams have won at the Britannia Stadium – and Manchester United didn’t either when they went there earlier this season.

It could be seen as a point gained and one recovered from a losing position after Peter Crouch closed all entries for the goal of the season competition with a stupendous strike.

City keeper Joe Hart must be getting sick of playing another cameo role in this year’s goal of the season, but he appears to be one of the City players who remain in good form as we head into the last eight weeks of the season.

Vincent Kompany’s return from injury is a key moment in the title race and he can marshal the City back four to a clean sheet against the Black Cats – who will be on a big downer after exiting the FA Cup at home to Everton in midweek.

Sergio Aguero’s injury is a blow, but more so if he misses out against Arsenal next week because City have the firepower to bag a couple against Sunderland (11/2 2-0 Man City in Correct Score) with Carlos Tevez (11/10) a potential anytime goalscorer.

In the other Saturday Premier League matches, Everton (4/5) are a team to keep on your side at the moment and should be too strong for streaky West Brom (7/2, Draw 13/5) at Goodison Park.

Roy Hodgson’s side have picked up one point from their last three matches, and should have been beaten by Wigan in the match where they got a draw.

They appear to fare better against the physical teams, particularly away from home – having won at Stoke, Blackburn and Wolves since December – but are liable to lose to the craftier sides.

Everton have demonstrated they fall into this bracket and should pick up three points – and another clean sheet.

The Toffees have tightened up defensively, conceding only two goals in their last six home matches and now boasting the fourth best goals against record in the Premier League.

However, with Leighton Baines (16/1 First Goalscorer) standing proudly as their top goalscorer, they are still far from prolific.

Nikica Jelavic (5/4 Anytime) is showing signs of taking on the scoring mantle and may be worth a bet to be the Last Goalscorer – rather than the first – in case he does not start (9/2).

Chelsea (5/6) got back to winning ways against Benfica in midweek and normally they would have too much for Aston Villa (7/2, Draw 13/5).

But Saturday’s match could easily lack the intensity of a Champions League clash for them and, with changes due, it may be that a draw is the most likely result.

Villa would probably settle for a draw and, judging by the Blues’ inability to find the net at home to Spurs last week, 0-0 (15/2 in Correct Score) might be the order of the day again.

Queens Park Rangers (7/2) could make it tough for Arsenal (5/6), but the Gunners’ form continues to impress and they should overcome the Hoops with a glut of goals in the second half (Evens – 2nd Half in Half Most Goals).

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Bolton v Everton

Bolton seem to have picked up after their January lull, and it is no coincidence that the Wanderers form has improved at the same time Lee Chung-Yong returned from Asian Cup duty and Daniel Sturridge joined on loan from Chelsea.

Bolton were unlucky to come away from White Hart Lane with nothing to show for their efforts last time out and will be desperate to get back to winning ways by seeing off Everton on Sunday.  Indeed, Bolton nearly managed to take three points off the Merseyside outfit earlier in the season but were denied by a last gasp Jermaine Beckford equaliser and Owen Coyle?s men should be in confident mood ahead of Everton’s visit.

Everton managed to secure a 5-3 win over Blackpool in a thrilling encounter last weekend, but boss David Moyes has been dealt a massive blow ahead of the trip to Bolton as Louis Saha has been ruled out with a hamstring problem.  The former Manchester United striker had been in fantastic form and managed to score an impressive four goals against the Seasiders, but with the Frenchman ruled out for the trip to Bolton the Toffees could well struggle to hit the target.

Bolton have a decent record on home soil and have lost just twice at the Reebok over the course of the current campaign.  In contrast, Everton have only tasted victory on two occasions in their 13 away games so far and could struggle to get the better of Bolton, especially with the in-form Saha sidelined (Match Betting – Bolton 13/8, draw 23/10, Everton 13/8).

Fulham v Chelsea

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti conceded defeat in the battle for the Premier League title this week, but that does not mean the Blues will simply roll over from here on in. The Stamford Bridge side are still battling for a top four spot and will be keen to take all three points from their encounter with local rivals Fulham.

Ancelotti has confirmed that January signing David Luiz will start against Fulham after making his debut as a substitute in the loss against Liverpool last weekend, while Fernando Torres should also feature despite his subdued display in his debut.

Fulham are a decent side at Craven Cottage and after a difficult start to the season, they have managed to get back on track and look as if they will comfortably avoid the drop. However, Chelsea, and in particular Torres, will be desperate to impress after being beaten by Liverpool last time out and they should be too strong for Mark Hughes- Cottagers on Monday night (Match Betting – Fulham 19/5, draw 13/5, Chelsea 3/4).

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Tuesday sees the first two Carling Cup quarter-finals and both the big guns look too strong to falter, with both Arsenal and Manchester United having Wembley in their sights.

Arsenal host Wigan and after a much-needed confidence-boosting victory at Aston villa, a strong Gunners side is likely to take to the pitch at the Emirates.

In previous years, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has opted to hand his younger players and fringe squad members the chance to impress in the Carling Cup, but this year the Frenchman is taking the competition seriously.

The last time Arsenal added to their trophy cabinet was in 2005, when they secured the FA Cup and Wenger has admitted he is desperate to land a title this season, Carling Cup included.

The Gunners are the 13/8 favourites to secure the first major honour of the season, as they seek to end their trophy drought.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez will undoubtedly name a reasonably strong side for the trip to the Emirates but, after slumping to a 3-1 defeat away at West Ham on Saturday, the Latics top priority will be to improve their league form.

The visitors are also without strike star Hugo Rodallega, who is suspended, and without the Colombian marksman it seems hard to imagine them toppling Arsenal on home soil.

Arsenal are priced at 2/7 to win the match outright, but considering the fact Wenger looks set to name his strongest starting XI possible it could well be worth backing the Gunners in the half-time/full-time market, with an Arsenal/Arsenal result paying out at 8/11.

Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson saw his side move to the top of the Premier League table after this weekend’s fixtures. Chelsea stumbled at Newcastle, managing a 1-1 draw, while United hammered Blackburn and secured a 7-1 victory over the Rovers.

Ferguson’s priorities remains the Premier League and the Champions League and as such the United boss has allowed his fringe players the chance to shine in the Carling Cup.

Gabriel Obertan, Federico Macheda, Tiago Bebe and young goalkeeper Ben Amos all featured in the win over Wolves in the last round and Ferguson should keep the faith with his youngsters and squad players for the trip to Upton Park.

Hammers boss Avram Grant, like Wigan counterpart Martinez, will have Premier League survival as his top target for the season but the pressure has been eased somewhat on the Israeli boss, after the victory over Latics on Saturday.

Hammers talisman Scott Parker returned from injury at the weekend and could be involved on Tuesday night, with goalkeeper Rob Green also impressing in the win over Wigan.

United could well be in for a battle at Upton Park but Ferguson will probably name a reasonably strong bench, so United should have options if things aren’t going quite to plan.

Despite the fact Ferguson will rotate his squad for the trip to East London, United should still be too strong for West Ham and Ferguson’s men are 3/4 to win the tie outright.

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez starred for United in the last round with a late substitute appearance against Wolves and if the youngster plays against the Hammers, he could well be a good candidate to back to find the net, with the United striker evens to score at any time, or 4/1 to be the last goalscorer on the night.

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Villarreal

Garrido has warned his in-form squad to expect the newly-promoted team to make it tough and says they will need to give it 100 per cent to take all three points.

The Alicante-based club signed ex-Juventus striker David Trezeguet and Paraguayan hitman Nelson Valdez from Borussia Dortmund in the summer and have scored some impressive results already in the Spanish top flight.

“They’ve made a great investment with the signing of top players,” said Garrido.

“The only way to win on their pitch is by giving a 100 per cent, because they are a good group and have some big stars.”

The coach hinted at an unchanged side, which means strike partners Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi will continue up front.

He said: “It’s important to continue with the group and give a chance to players who have earned it in practice.

“We have a unit that works well, but there are players who can feel entitled to a starting place.”

The front two have combined for 11 goals between them this season and both names were on the scoresheet in Villarreal’s 2-0 win over racing Santander before the international break.

Hercules have managed only five goals this season, but did pull off a shock 2-0 win away to Barcelona and a 2-0 home win over Sevilla recently (4/5 Yes – Both Teams To Score).

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Arsenal

The Gunners finished third in last year’s Premiership table, 11 points behind champions Chelsea, and qualified for the Champions League for the 10th year in succession (Arsenal 16/1 to win the Champions League).

Arsenal are currently holding an altitude training camp in Austria and beat Sturm Graz 3-0 in their second match of their pre-season tour.

Arsenal start their Premier League season with a difficult trip to face Liverpool but Wenger is targeting the match as the chance to kick start the Gunners’ season.

“The aim is to continue to progress as we have been doing,” Wenger told Arsenal’s official magazine.

“We were very close last year – closer than the previous season – so we are heading in the right way. We hope we can continue that this season.

“It is important to start well, start strongly and get into a good position early on and to try to maintain the level.”

Arsenal also started last season on Merseyside, beating Everton 6-1, provoking many onlookers to pronounce them the early favourites for the title. However, their form dipped during the winter months and they failed to pick up a single point against either of the teams that finished above them, Chelsea and Manchester United.

That meant that Arsenal’s run of trophyless seasons stretched to six, despite playing arguably some of the best football in the world.

During this time, Wenger has often been criticised for failing to open his cheque book to sign the big names that many people feel could make a major difference at the Emirates, in favour of promoting from within to develop one of the finest young sides in the World.

Many now feel that this could be the Gunners’ year with the acquisitions of defender Laurent Koscielny and striker Marouane Chamakh giving the squad a more balanced look, and Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen is confident this is going to be the year they once again lift the Premier League trophy.

“We have a good young group who are very aggressive and want to improve,” he remarked.

“I think people will always say we can’t compete – it is not the first time, but we have to do what we always do which is work hard and play our own game, then we can compete.

“I hope we can compete for the title this year and I am convinced we will.”

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