Arsene Wenger says it would be 'unacceptable' for Arsenal not to be challenging for the title this season.The Gunners have been written off as serious title hopefuls by some critics following the departure of Thierry Henry to Barcelona.
However, Wenger can see grounds for optimism and he insists he expects to see his side challenging Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in the forthcoming campaign.
"An acceptable season is, first of all, for Arsenal football club to fight for the championship," said Wenger.
"Last year, in the end of October and beginning of November when we were 16 points off the leader, that wasn't acceptable for us.
"I want my team to fight for the championship and to do well in the Champions League.
"Last year we showed in spells - in the Carling Cup - what we could do, but the Carling Cup is not a major trophy. The major trophies are the championship and the Champions League.
"I work very hard to develop this team.
"We knew we were facing major competition in England with clubs who invest a lot of money. We knew we wanted to go a different way and be a little bit patient.
"But, while we have a young team, we have experience. [Cesc] Fabregas has 100 games in the Premiership. I believe we have the quality and we must show it."
Wenger has been impressed by what he has seen from his players in pre-season and he believes his squad is hungry for success.
"I must say the desire for success, the hunger for success, the togetherness I've seen during pre-season has been greater than ever," added Wenger.
"I'm very excited for the new season because what I feel and saw during the camp for pre-season made me impatient to start.
"I'm personally very optimistic because of what I've seen inside my squad."
Wenger also rejected claims from Freddie Ljungberg that the club broke promises they made to him after he sealed his move to West Ham earlier this week.
"I did not make any promises to anybody," continued Wenger.
"The company works well when everybody does what he's responsible for.
"The player is responsible for his performance in the team, not the policy of the club.
"I'm responsible for the technical performance of the club, not the financial running of the club.
"No matter how big a player is, he's never responsible for the technical policy of the club.
"Freddie left as well because he decided it was the right moment.
"He was a great fighter for the club and did extremely well. The club did very well for Freddie as well.
"Nobody is here forever - but football is a team's sport. That's something magical.
"The talents we have makes us very optimistic. We can replace these players and the spirit of the team can compensate the quality of the world-class players we've lost."