Source: Eurosport
Wenger sees ground for optimism
Arsene Wenger believes his young side are now ready to write their own chapter in Arsenal's history and give the Emirates Stadium faithful a season to remember.
The Gunners maintained an impressive opening to the new campaign with a 4-1 demolition of struggling Portsmouth in front of a 60,000-strong crowd.
Arsenal issued free red and white scarves for fans as part of moves to create a unique atmosphere of its own at the £350million stadium, which has been the club's home since August 2006. Wenger hopes 2010 will prove a vintage year for the young Gunners.
"Highbury had a natural soul because of all the history," recalled Wenger, who took charge of Arsenal in September 1996. "We have to create history here first by winning titles, but also by making the place warm and where you feel the history of the club.
"The fans have to feel a connection between the values a club wants, and that has always been right here. You want to transfer the history of the club in the walls here, and create a new history with the results.
"We have maybe at the moment not achieved that, not outside nor on the pitch. My job and that of the team is to create it on the pitch. We have the ambition to win the title, and have a good opportunity to show we can do it."
