Tuesday 16 June 2015 09:58, UK
Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is confident his team will mount a serious challenge for the Premier League next season.
The 24-year-old was forced to sit out the closing weeks of the campaign following bruising on the bone around his knee, which saw him miss the FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa and the end-of-season internationals with England.
But after mounting a successful defence of the cup, the former Manchester United player insists there is a growing feeling Arsene Wenger's squad can now go on to push on for a serious assault on the championship.
We definitely want to push on as a club, with the players we have got there is no reason why we should not be up there challenging for the Premier League.
"To miss the FA Cup final was obviously disappointing for me, but great for the club and the fans to retain the trophy,” Welbeck said.
“This is the first one I have won and hopefully there are going to be more in the future.
"We definitely want to push on as a club, with the players we have got there is no reason why we should not be up there challenging for the Premier League, it is something which is within our ambitions as a team.
"Our slow start at the beginning of the season cost us in May, and when we look back on the points we should have got, then we would have been right up there."
'Competition'
Welbeck is ready to battle England team-mate Theo Walcott and French striker Olivier Giroud in spearheading the Arsenal attack.
"Competition is healthy, it is good and gives the manager a selection headache, which is the best for the team for us to drive forward and keep improving," said Welbeck.
"With the selection of players the manager has got now, you can use players in different styles and positions which is only going to help the squad going forward.
"I am sure that when anyone is called upon, they are going to give 100% to try to stay in the team for the next game.
"Wherever you play on the pitch, whether it be the left, on the right or down the middle, you are going to give you best for the team.
"I know I definitely have more levels to go, and I am really looking forward to doing that next season."
Despite conceding it has taken him time to settle in the capital, Welbeck remains confident his £16m switch to London was the correct choice to further his career.
"Yes, it was big move, but the right move for me to do and the way it has all panned out, I am happy here at Arsenal," he said.
"It takes a while sure, London is a much bigger city than Manchester, but it is easy though. I had quite a few boys from England here and they helped me settle in pretty well."
