Arsenal are likely to finish some way off champions Chelsea this season, but Arsene Wenger insists they do not need wholesale changes this summer.
A 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon confirmed Chelsea’s first Premier League title since 2010, meaning they have now won it four times since the Gunners were last crowned champions 11 years ago. Wenger, though, believes his side aren’t too far behind the Blues, despite being 13 points adrift of their capital rivals albeit having played a game less.
Many fans of the Emirates Stadium club would love to see some big-name arrivals during the summer, to complement the recent signings of the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. However, Wenger doesn’t believe there needs to be many changes at the club ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, as he feels he already has the foundations to launch a genuine bid for the title.
“We have a big squad – the basis is there. We do not need to buy a number of players,” he told Sky Sports. “If we can get top, world-class players we will look at it, but we have a very strong squad already and we want to stay together and start well next season. I feel that we have made progress. Let’s finish well, then prepare well for next season and give them (Chelsea) a good fight.”
Arsenal’s form since they lost at Tottenham Hotspur in February has been excellent, winning nine of their 10 subsequent matches. They are now third in the table, level on points with Manchester City, with a game in hand. Wenger’s side only have one more away game, at Manchester United, with three more to play at home against Swansea City, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion.
Are Arsenal close to having a team capable of challenging for the title, or does Arsene Wenger need to splash the cash during the summer transfer window?
