Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger claims Premier League is still the best

15 September 2010 09:22
Speaking out: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger[LNB]Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists the Barclays Premier League is still the 'strongest in Europe' and believes a team from England will qualify for the Champions League final at Wembley.[LNB]The Gunners kick off their Champions League campaign on Wednesday night against Portuguese outfit Braga at Emirates Stadium.[LNB]With Shakhtar Donetsk and Partizan Belgrade making up the other opposition in Group H, Arsenal - quarter-finalists or better for three seasons in a row - are expected to negotiate safe passage into the knockout stages.[LNB]However, in 2010, Chelsea and Manchester United also failed to reachthe last four, leaving England without a representative in thesemi-finals for the first time since 2002/2003. [LNB] Wenger, whose side reached the Champions League final in 2006,claims there is no reason not to be confident of a home representativeat Wembley in 2011 and even tipped arch rivals Tottenham to spring a'surprise'.[LNB]'The Premier League is still the strongest in Europe,' he said. 'What happened last season was an accident, and we have to show that this year.[LNB]'We went out against Barcelona, who were better than us over the twogames. We have to come back and show we can compete with them.'[LNB]'Last season's final was Inter Milan against Bayern Munich, whichwas completely unexpected, so it's open - but you have 10 teams inEurope who can hope to be in the final.'[LNB]'The best-equipped teams would be the ones who are always there,meaning Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, because we have alwaysbeen there in the last 10 years but maybe Tottenham can create asurprise.'[LNB] Arsene Wenger pleads for fair play (again) as Arsenal boss counts the costs of injuriesMikael Silvestre: There's no way I could have followed William Gallas to Tottenham ARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail