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Arsene Wenger: I believe Arsenal have a chance to win the Premier League title this season

Manager backs up Walcott's claim

James Orr
Friday 20 September 2013 14:53 BST
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Arsene Wenger's side take on Stoke on Sunday
Arsene Wenger's side take on Stoke on Sunday

With his improving side in fine form, including a club-record run of 10 successive away victories in all competitions, Arsene Wenger has admitted that he believes Arsenal can finally end their run of nine years without winning the Premier League this season.

"I believe we have a chance to win the title," said Wenger."My energy is focused on making sure we grab that chance."

Wenger's comments come after forward Theo Walcott claimed the north London side could challenge for the title this season. The club last finished top of the division in 2003/04, in the unbeaten "Invicibles" season.

The Gunners secured a vital 2-1 Champions League victory at Marseilles on Wednesday, and the manager was quick to praise Aaron Ramsey, who scored Arsenal's second in France and has started the season in impressive fashion, having scored six goals. Wenger says the Welshman is now "finally over" his leg injury, suffered three years ago in a tackle by Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross, who Arsenal face on Sunday.

"It took him a long time to get completely over the injury," Wenger said. "He showed a resistance to go into the fight for a long time. He's added goals to his game now, I always thought he could do that.

I've noticed in the last three months of last season that he was finally over the injury. I never feared he wouldn't come back. If you have an injury under the age of 20, you always have time to get back to your best."

Wenger revealed that he has no new injury concerns, and Mikel Arteta could make his first appearance of the season against on Sunday.

The Gunners vice-captain tore his quadricep during pre-season but Wenger revealed that the Spanish midfielder is now back in full training and could return to the first-team squad for the match at the Emirates Stadium.

"Arteta returns to full training today and could be back in the squad," Wenger said. "He is one of our leaders and we are happy to have him back."

The 31-year-old was an integral part of Wenger’s squad last season, featuring in his 34 Premier League matches. He signed a four-year deal with the club after joining from Everton for £10m in August 2011.

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