Arsene Wenger says Arsenal’s Premier League target for the new season is 85 points, which he believes will be enough to fight for the title.
The Gunners go into the new campaign hoping to improve on last season’s disappointing fifth place, that left them outside the Champions League places for the first time under Wenger.
Champions Chelsea claimed glory last season with 93 points, seven clear of Tottenham who finished as runners-up, while Arsenal managed just 75.
Having brought in Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette this summer, Wenger is confident his side will improve and wants 10 more points.
“When you have made 75 points [last season], your target is to get 10 points more. And with 10 points more, you are in there [the title race],” he said via ESPN.
The Arsenal boss also insisted he had no doubts over Alexis Sanchez’s commitment, with the Chilean into the final year of his contract and yet to sign an extension.
“Of course. Why not?” he added. “My conviction — and if you look well — it’s always in your interests, even if you have a short contract, to do well. And the kind of character he is.
“He is a winner. When he goes on the football pitch, he wants to win. He is a guy who loves football. He has advantages and disadvantages on both sides going into a situation like that.”
Improvements are certainly needed this season, with a place in the top four the very least that will be expected from the Gunners.