Wenger praises positive start

Arsenal manager happy with opening

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 27th August 2007

Wenger Arsene Arsenal

Wenger: Positive start

It will be harder than ever to finish in the top four.

Arsene Wenger
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Arsene Wenger believes his Arsenal side have already learned from mistakes made last season.

The Gunners manager has guided his team to seven points from their first three games, much to the delight of Wenger.

The French tactician feels Arsenal never recovered from a poor start to their last campaign and he insists it was vital to make a positive initial impact this year.

"At this stage of last season, we had only two points and were already under mental pressure," said Wenger.

"A team like Manchester United are big enough to deal with that and come back.

"But we were a very young side and it was a bit too much for us. It was important to get a good start this time and we have done that."

Top four finish

Wenger also believes that Arsenal will face their toughest battle yet to secure UEFA Champions League qualification with a top four finish this season.

The Emirates Stadium boss feels the considerable expenditure and improvement of a number of Premier League sides will result in a highly competitive season.

"I think there is a top eight or nine who can fight for that [the Champions League places]," Wenger added.

"It is very open and I think it will be more and more open because there are so many investors who have come in.

"West Ham are ambitious. Aston Villa are ambitious. Everton are a good side. Newcastle too.

"So it's a top eight, nine. It will be harder than ever to finish in the top four."