Selfless Arsene Wenger makes bold Arsenal prediction

Departing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes his current squad is not far away from being serious Premier League contenders.

Wenger has guided the Gunners to the Europa League semi-finals – against Atletico Madrid – but they remain a huge 33 points behind the crowned champions Manchester City.

Still, Wenger, who today revealed it was not his decision to step down from his role as manager this summer, says his team has “a special mental quality” – and may be worth backing when you try to find the best sports betting sites.

“I am convinced that in the future, with two or three additions, this team is good enough to fight for the championship,” said Wenger at today’s news conference, ahead of tomorrow’s home leg against Atletico.

Wenger was questioned whether a “perfect goodbye” exists in football and went on to say he wants to deliver Europa League success more for his players than for his own personal glory.

“At the moment I do not look after myself, I just want to do well,” he added.

“I just want to do as well as I can because this team has quality, these guys – I’ve seen them this season be challenged mentally.

“I’ve always seen them respond in a positive way and I think this group of players deserves something special.

“I want to do it for them, to achieve something with them because I feel they have a special mental quality.

“My biggest satisfaction would be to be successful together with the group of players that I have. I’ve seen them behave the whole season and they deserve it.”

Wenger will go into his final European home game as Arsenal boss with the boost of having Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Petr Cech available.

The trio missed the weekend win over the Hammers with minor problems but all trained on Wednesday.

Wenger is also hopeful that Henrikh Mkhitaryan could recover from a knee injury to feature in the second leg in Madrid next week, but there was worse news over the fitness of Mohamed Elneny, who suffered ankle ligament damage in the West Ham game.

“Mohamed Elneny is out for the rest of the season,” he said.

“He has a little chance to play at Huddersfield. I think he will be available for Egypt at the World Cup, but not any more for Arsenal.”

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