Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Picture credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The Gunners are looking to be the surprise of the season

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is relishing the prospect of the new season.

The Gunners finished third last time out but had suffered an awful start that included an 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.

“I find the situation very exciting,” Wenger said.

“I was very, very worried last year for a long part of the season and very anxious for a long time because we faced such a tough competition.

“I knew already in October that we could not afford to drop many points to be in the Champions League.

“The tension was at the top level from September until May and we managed just to be in the top three. That was a quite remarkable achievement for the team.

“I am excited because we have learned from last year, we have a new start and a new opportunity.

“Hopefully we can be the surprise of the season because we have stability and stability is important.”