ARSENE WENGER says Arsenal can mount a serious title bid for the first time in years — and extend his managerial reign in the process.
The Gunners boss has opened talks with the club about signing a new contract.
Wenger has failed to win a trophy with the North London giants in the last eight seasons.
And he insists he will only stay if he feels his team are serious challengers for major honours once again.
But the Frenchman believes the managerial merry-go-round at the top of the Premier League this summer might just lead to the most open title race for years.
With Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City all changing their bosses, Wenger is the only top-four manager still in place from this time last year.
As Arsenal arrived in Indonesia last night for the start of their pre-season tour of the Far East, he said: "Nobody knows what effect the changes will have but we hope to take advantage of our greater stability.
"What has been frustrating for me is that in recent years we couldn't give our fans what they expected of us.
"But now we are in a position where we want to compete for the title again. Our challenge is to close the gap on Man United, City and Chelsea.
"But they all want to win the league and England is the country where more clubs than any other country think they can win the title.
"Most of the leagues now are becoming like Scotland, when it was just Celtic and Rangers.
"In Spain now it's only Barcelona or Real Madrid, in Italy it's Juventus or AC Milan and now in France it will be PSG or Monaco.
"At least in England we have a few more clubs who have a chance at the start of the season." Wenger, 63, has just entered the final 12 months of his £7million-a-year agreement at the Emirates.
Negotiations have already started with chief executive Ivan Gazidis to extend his 17-year stay in London until 2016 — despite lucrative offers from French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
But, despite eight barren years, Wenger said: "I am committed to staying longer at this club and we have already had a chat with Ivan.
"The talks went well and it's not a problem. But I will not use my longevity as an advantage to stay in this position if I don't do well.
"My future will depend on how well I do. I don't just assume I will always be here.
"I've always shown my loyalty to this club and I don't need to prove anything on that. But I want to do well for Arsenal so this is an important season for me."
Wenger's comments will be bad news for PSG's top brass, who are desperate to have him as their boss.
But he added: "People are always linking me with PSG because I am French and I know the owners.
"But if I wanted to go to PSG I would be there already. I'm not because my heart is with Arsenal and they are always my priority."
The Gunners finished fourth last season but Wenger believes the club's improving financial situation can also boost their title bid. He said: "When I committed to my last contract the club was going through a very sensitive period because we had less financial resources than other clubs and it was difficult to stay at the top in the Champions League.
"But we are coming out of that period and I hope that in the next two to three years this club will be competing every year for the Premier League title.
"It is important for everyone who loves the game that every team has a fair chance to win the Premier League.
"But now it is not about who develops players within the club, the quality of their game or the attitude — it's just about who buys the next star.
"It's a bit like you start a 100 metres race tomorrow and suddenly somebody buys Usain Bolt.
"I don't know how quick you are, but that will be a problem for you."
MARK IRWIN
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