Wenger Chasing Big Trophies

The FA Cup in 2005 was the last time Arsene Wenger held a major piece of silverware aloft after an extraordinary stalemate lasting 120 minutes resulted in a penalty shoot-out.

Thats not to say his guns have not come close in recent years. Far from it. A Champions League final in 2006 ended in heartbreak for Arsenal fans as Barcelona overturned a one-nil deficit by striking twice. The next year the young guns reached the League Cup final, took the lead again, but two goals from Ivorian Drogba ensured the three-handled trophy would be displayed in the Stamford Bridge cabinet.

Perhaps last year was the most frustrating. After leading the Premier League for five months, an horrific injury during the game against Birmingham, to key poacher Eduardo, put team-mates off their stride and allowed the Blues back into the game. A run of three more draws followed and with that, their title charge was effectively acquiesced.

Speaking to the club's official website, Wenger believes their nearly-ran contender label will transform into title collectors, as he targets a trophy this campaign.

"Every season is a season when you have to win something, but the difference between winning and losing is very small at the moment."

On the prizes he deems biggest, he said: "The two massive trophies are the Premier League and the Champions League. We were close in both competitions [last season]. So let's go and try again. We want to win things. But had we made 70 points and won the Carling Cup people would have said for me it is not satisfying."

"We will not play every year like last year and lose out in the end. We have to reconsider and play exactly the same.

He concluded: "What is dreadful when you are a big club is to be out of the title race in September. That is why it is so important to get a good start."

Wenger will be happy with his sides opening two games of the season, they secured a two-nil away win in the 3rd Champions League round qualifier, and collected three points in the opening weekend of the Premier League.

Alan Dawson