Arsene Wenger believes the time has come for Arsenal to dominate English football following their first Premier League title in 22 years.
The Gunners lifted the trophy last Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s side becoming the first Arsenal team since Wenger’s ‘2003-04’ Invincibles to do so.
And they will enter next season with questions surrounding their opponents. Manchester City will move into a new era after the departure of Pep Guardiola, with Enzo Maresca expected to take his place.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United can continue their rise under Michael Carrick, while Liverpool took a step back in Arne Slot’s second season in charge. Xabi Alonso will lead a Chelsea side that limped to a 10th-place finish in 2025-2026, and the Blues look set to face a major challenge.
Arsenal have their sights set on Saturday’s Champions League final against hosts Paris Saint-Germain as they bid to win European football’s biggest prize for the first time.
But Wenger is excited about what the future holds for Arteta’s men in the domestic division.
The Gunners are determined to dominate at home
Arsenal won three Premier League titles under Wenger during his reign, which spanned from 1996 to 2018.
And he hopes more glory is on the horizon in the coming years for the North London club under Arteta.
“I feel like the club is right for me, this season is right for me and the consistency of the team is right for me,” Wenger told UEFA when asked what winning the Champions League would mean for Arsenal.
“When I arrived at Arsenal, the club had very little history in the Champions League. Then we had 20 years in a row, and now the crown of that history was going to be the championship.
“I think Arsenal have made a little bit of history that now allows them to win it. I feel like it’s time for Arsenal to win the Premier League every time. I’m really looking forward to seeing Arsenal play in the final and I’m sure we’ll have a good game.”
Wenger: I would bet on Arsenal
Wenger’s 10-man Arsenal side lost the 2006 Champions League final to Barcelona, ​​with Samuel Eto’o leveling for the Blaugrana in the 76th minute before Juliano Belletti scored the winner four minutes later.
The Gunners are unbeaten in the Champions League this season, but are below the defending champions, who came through a thrilling semi-final against Bayern Munich to book their place at the Puskas Arena.
But Wenger, who enjoyed a spell as Arsenal manager from 1996 to 2018, sees the conflict differently.
“I want this trophy to go to the Emirates Stadium because it is not there,” Wenger told UEFA. “We have touched it before – there were 13 minutes left to win it – so you want it to happen this time.
“I have always said that you work at the club to make sure that it is in a good position to continue to develop. Overall, I believe that this is a stage where we can hold it. I still believe that it is 50/50 in the final, and if I had to bet, I would bet Arsenal more than Paris Saint-Germain.
“The final is the final. The most important thing is that your team is not deterred or impressed by the event and continues to focus on what they are doing well. The greatest strength of this Arsenal team is their ability to keep a clean sheet, and in the final that is very important.
“Then you have to work well. Your time will come in the game and you have to be ruthless. Paris Saint-Germain have a lot of attacking power, but Arsenal are also one-pointed and very strong in set-ups, which can have a big impact in the final. Once you are 1-0 up, everything starts to play to your strengths if you are strong defensively.” Arsenal can always be dangerous.
