The Gunners held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw yesterday, the sixth time they had shared crucial league points at the impressive 60,000-seater venue.

While the result may have grabbed headlines for handing the Premiership title to Manchester United following Chelsea's failure to win, it also moved Arsenal level on points with third-placed Liverpool.

While that in itself could go down as progress should they hold off Liverpool with victory at Portsmouth on the final day of the season next weekend, Wenger cannot help but have a sense of what might have been.

The Arsenal boss said: "I personally put our bad start to the season down to the new stadium.

"We dropped some points that any team will drop when they move to a new stadium.

"It is linked with the unfamiliarity, as well as the fact that a team that comes to the stadium has no bad memories."

Wenger added: "At the start of the season it was a bit like a neutral ground, now we know we are playing at home.

"We feel much more that sense of comfort and strength at home."

The Arsenal manager insisted: "We can now come back stronger next season and fight for the championship."

Wenger is, however, not expecting to receive a bottle of red wine from Sir Alex Ferguson as thanks for handing United the Premiership title - but the Arsenal boss believes the Red Devils have deserved their triumph just the same.

After a somewhat scrappy opening to yesterday's match, Chelsea were reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off for a foul on Julio Baptista in the penalty area.

Gilberto put the home side ahead from the resulting spot-kick, but Michael Essien brought life back into the visitors when he levelled with 20 minutes left.

Joe Cole had a goal ruled out for offside before Jens Lehmann denied Salomon Kalou with a fingertip save late on to ensure the Premier League trophy returned to Old Trafford for the first time since 2003.

"Manchester United have scored more goals than anyone else and you can only say they deserve the title," said Wenger.

"No, I don't expect to receive a bottle of wine from Sir Alex Ferguson - but congratulations to him anyway.

"They have been the most consistent side and they also have individual players who can make a difference.

"Chelsea and Manchester United were both strong sides, but there were a few turning points when United did not show any weakness and they had an offensive ability the others did not have."

The frustration for Wenger is that Arsenal, who beat United home and away, dropped so many points against sides they should have comfortably beaten.

He said: "What I have to get right in the summer is to evaluate what we need, but there are signs that when everybody is fit we have a good chance."