Arsenal can win the Premier League for the first time since 2004 because they are no longer a selling club, says Arsene Wenger.
“We have reduced the gap and I believe we are ready to go further,” said Wenger.
“We now have the stability that gives us strength. Before I was more exposed to ‘Who will go?’ and now the question I get more is ‘Who will come?’ The transfer market is not over. We can still buy but I don’t think we will sell. Our potential on the market has changed.”
Over the past two years, such a belief has been borne out in the transfer market with Arsenal recruiting Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Petr Cech. Their combined fees cost Arsenal more than £100 million since 2013.
While finishing in the top four over the past two years to qualify for the Champions League – and never being out of the top four since they last won the title – Arsenal have also won back-to-back FA Cups having last won a trophy when they picked up the 2005 FA Cup.
The signing of Petr from Chelsea for £11m seems to be statement of intent.
Wenger confirmed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich played a leading role in allowing Cech to depart for one of Chelsea’s main rivals.
“He can strengthen belief in the team,” said Wenger. “When you sit in the dressing room, you need some people around you who give you confidence. Always.
“This deal happened because of a special relationship that Petr Cech had with Abramovich. I think he had a promise to go, no matter where, at a certain price. They couldn’t keep him forever at 33 years of age as No 2.”
Wenger’s side finished 12 points behind Chelsea last season in third place. It is a gap that Wenger does not feel is insurmountable.
“It’s our target and we have a chance in a very competitive league,” said Wenger. “We finished third and won the FA Cup so that shows we’re not far away. We have a good cohesive group with the ability to do better.”