Wenger targets room for improvement
Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have shown their potential for a Premier League title challenge in the second half of the season after conceding the initiative to Chelsea in the opening months of the season.
Chelsea inflicted the Gunners' first loss of the campaign in October, but Wenger's side had already drawn four of their first six games, losing ground to the Blues.
A late season rally - nine wins in a 10-match unbeaten streak - has not been enough for Arsenal to challenge Chelsea, but the Gunners will aim to extend the run against Swansea on Monday night.
"There are many turning points, one of them was that we had some players back and defensively we were much stronger in the second part of the season than the first part," Wenger said.
"We still have room for improvement there. Maybe we have more stability and more balance in the team.
"We were not consistent enough. After eight games we were 11 points behind Chelsea.
"If we win our game in hand (against Sunderland on May 20) we are 10 points behind Chelsea.
"That means in the first eight games we lost our championship and that's what we have to address next season and start strong.
"We feel we have made progress in our consistency, our quality and our stability.
"That is what we want to continue and I believe it is important to finish as close as possible to Chelsea and come out of the season and think we are ready to challenge next season."
Garry Monk admits Arsenal could have mounted a serious title bid ahead of his side's trip to the Emirates.
Wenger's side remain on course to retain the FA Cup, but, like Wenger, Monk is well aware the Gunners are one of the strongest teams in the league and a poor start to the season cost them a challenge.
"They're finishing the season strong and have done since the turn of the year," said Swansea manager Monk.
"I expect they'll be a little bit disappointed they didn't start the season the way they're finishing it. Maybe they could have been a little bit closer to Chelsea.
"But they've had a fantastic season. There's a talented squad there with real depth as well, especially the attacking options they have.
"People will talk about certain aspects of their play and what they need to improve but the squad Arsene is building is going to be a force in the next couple of years.
"They seem young enough and good enough players to make that next step and looking from the outside they seem a squad who could develop into title contenders."
Arsenal need to win to keep the pressure on Manchester City in the race for second but Swansea head to north London in confident mood.
Back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Stoke have consolidated eighth place and secured a Premier League club record of 53 points, while Swansea have done well at the Emirates Stadium in the past.
Last season Monk's men managed a 2-2 draw at Arsenal in one of his first games in charge and two years ago a Michu double gave Swansea a 2-0 victory.
"You always expect them to be strong and their home record has been exceptional," Monk said.
"It's an arena which can be extremely tough and we expect that, but it's also one where we've done well in the past.
"I want my players to go to these type of arenas and play these sort of teams, it's a chance for them to express themselves.
"We've proven this season we can handle those situations and let's hope we can do it again."
Source: PAR
