Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects six sides in Premier League title race

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes the Premier League title race is wide open this season.

The Frenchman, meanwhile, has received the full backing of Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke as his young team look to deliver a first trophy since 2005. The London club are embarking on what they hope will be a new chapter backed by increased financial resources, which helped secure the record £43million signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. "I am very grateful to this club because during the 17 years we had ups and downs," Wenger added. "They have always shown a big faith in me and they always let me do the job like I thought it had to be done, and if I am still here today it is because I got that consistent support from inside the club. "Honestly, I would love to be here forever because that would mean I would be immortal! I am (though) not naive enough to believe that. "What I would like to do as long as I am here is give my best for this club because I love this club, of course." Wenger, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, added: "I am very honoured to have the support of Stan Kroenke. That he thinks I can help the club is a huge confidence vote. "That is something for me that is very positive." Watch Swansea v Arsenal live on Sky Sports 1HD from 5.30pm on Saturday.