Source: Team_Talk
Wenger: Old Firm could compete
With the Gunners set to face off against the Bhoys for a place in the lucrative group stages of the Champions League, the first leg taking place at Celtic Park on Tuesday night, the debate over just where the Scottish giants would fit in south of the border has been re-ignited.
Having watched Arsenal dispatch Rangers 3-0 without really getting out of second gear in the recent Emirates Cup, Wenger could be forgiven if he were to have been less than impressed by the concept.
However, the French coach has seen enough to be in no doubt the Old Firm could make an impact, if perhaps not on the title race itself.
"We have talked for a long time about that, and it is very difficult to predict," said the Arsenal boss.
"However, Celtic and Rangers have the dimension to play in the Premier League at the top."
Wenger is also wary of the threat posed by Celtic to Arsenal's European ambitions.
Tony Mowbray's side produced a superb result to win 2-0 away at Dinamo Moscow and progress into the final play-off round for a place among the elite clubs once again.
"I do not feel it is impossible for them to compete at this level," said Wenger.
"They and Rangers are the dominating force in Scotland and can take all the best players in Scotland.
"Scotland has always produced good players.
"Celtic are also on the international market as well, so I do not feel it is impossible at all."
While reaching the Champions League group stages would be viewed as an achievement in itself for Celtic, Wenger - whose men reached the semi-finals last season - knows anything other than a run to the latter stages of the tournament is unthinkable.
However, were Arsenal's young side to go on and bring back a first piece of silverware since the 2005 FA Cup, Wenger would see that as just rewards for fighting in the face of their big-spending rivals.
"Yes, we do it in a different way and it would be very, very satisfying because there is long and hard work behind that - physical work, mental work and it takes a lot of strength to push that through," he said.
"I believe we have a very good chance."
Although the pundits have already written off Arsenal's domestic title chances before a ball has been kicked, Wenger remains focused on finishing top of the table rather than simply being happy with securing the fourth and final qualification place for Europe's elite club competition once again.
"The opponents, like Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, you do not know how strong they will be," the Arsenal manager reflected.
"In the Premier League, the target is to always be over 82 points if you want to win the championship.
"In a league of that quality, you need to win at least 25 games."
Wenger added: "It is certainly the most competitive race for the top four since I have been here, but at the start we race for the top spot."
Arsenal 5/4, Celtic 7/4, Draw 9/4
