Strong start imperative for Arsenal as Wenger targets Premier League title

Newcastle United manager Steve McLaren insists he has nothing left to prove ahead of St James' Park debut against Southampton

Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal, looks on during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on February 7, 2015, in London, England. Paul Gilham / Getty Images

Arsene Wenger said it is imperative Arsenal hit the ground running in their bid to win a first Premier League title in 12 years.

Arsenal open their campaign against West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday following a strong preseason.

Arsenal triumphed in both the Asia and Emirates Cups in preseason, while manager Wenger finally beat Jose Mourinho's Chelsea at the 14th attempt in last Sunday's Community Shield.

But although Wenger’s side enjoyed a strong finish to the 2014/15 season, they had won just two of their opening eight Premier League matches.

As he heads into his 20th campaign as Arsenal boss, the Frenchman is desperate to avoid a repeat performance this term.

“I’m motivated to start well,” said Wenger, who will be without Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky for Arsenal’s opener against West Ham.

“One of our targets is to start strongly, we’ve had good preparation and that should give us much-needed confidence. Every game of preseason went well, and I cannot remember a much better preparation.

"Our target is very high – we want to win the Premier League."

Meanwhile, Steve McClaren said that he has nothing more to prove as he prepares to make his Premier League bow with Newcastle United against Southampton at St James’s Park on Sunday.

McClaren said he spent years seeking to repair his reputation after being booted out of the England job in 2006, but the 54-year-old former Manchester United assistant said his own career is rooted in the present.

McClaren said: “After the England job, I spent a lot of years trying to prove myself, then after that I spent a lot of time gaining experience. That is what I have been doing.

“You want to come back in the Premier League and, if you want to pick a club, there are not many as big as Newcastle United in terms of potential.”

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