Arsenal can win Premier League title again: Arsene Wenger

The Arsenal team poses with the FA Cup 

London, May 31 (IANS) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side's recent FA Cup triumph over Aston Villa will boost them for serious title challenge next season. Goals from Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud crushed Aston Villa at the Wembley Stadium here as the Gunners won the competition for a record-breaking 12th time on Saturday.

"I'm not in the buying mood tonight. I will buy a drink for my players. We'll see what's going on in the transfer market but we have a good basis," Wenger was quoted as saying by goal.com on Saturday.

"We have some time to prepare because we won't be playing a Champions League qualifier. We have a good confidence level, so let's show that we can be intelligent during the summer," he said.

Arsenal suffered a worst ever start to a Premier League season last season, going on to finish third, and Wenger said there is no need to rock the boat over the summer after an impressive victory over Aston Villa.

"Of course we can push on. Why not? We have won the league in the past when we've had the potential to do it and that's what we want to do again," the 65-year-old said.

"We want to show that we can match anybody next season but we don't know how good the other teams will be. It is about consistency at the top level and we have shown signs of consistency.

"In the past when we have won leagues, we have been consistent. We didn't lose for 49 games. Nobody else has done it. When we have a good confidence level and the quality, we can be consistent," Wenger concluded.

Next target is League: Walcott

 Meanwhile, Theo Walcott has said that the team now plans to win the English Premier League (EPL) next season. The 26-year-old forward broke the deadlock, netting the first goal as the gunners cruised to a comfortable win.

Arsenal have now become the most successful team in the competition having recorded their 12th FA Cup triumph, and Walcott says they must now buckle up and win the EPL title next season.

“We are very close to winning the title (Premier League). We just need to start well. I’ve been here for a long time and this is one of the best squads I’ve been part of,” Walcott was quoted as saying by bbc.com on Saturday night.

“We should be achieving much more. That’s two FA Cups, Premier League is the next big target,” he said. Coach Arsene Wenger had started Walcott upfront instead of French striker Giroud and Walcott thanked the former for the opportunity in a big game.

“It’s amazing. Any win is fantastic. The manner we did it today was great. We played great football, kept a clean sheet,” he said.

“We always knew if we kept a clean sheet, we’d score goals and win the game. I’ve got to thank the manager for having the faith in picking me and repaying him but this team is blessed. It’s got to be many more next year.

“To be part of this today is a dream. My family’s here. I’ve worked so hard like the staff and the players. I want to thank the physios and everyone’s that looked after me but this is massive for me,” he said.