With seven points from their first three games, Arsenal have already reached the Frenchman's first target.

Wenger said: "At this stage of last season, we had only two points and were already under mental pressure.

"A team like Manchester United are big enough to deal with that and come back. But we were a very young side and it was a bit too much for us. It was important to get a good start this time and we have done that."

Wenger says Arsenal will have their toughest ever battle to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Arsenal have only once failed to reach Europe's elite competition and that came in Wenger's first season in 1996-97.

But the influx of new club owners and millions of pounds spent on transfer fees, the Arsenal manager insists there is no longer a 'top four'.

Wenger said: "I think there is a top eight or nine who can fight for that [the Champions League places].

"It is very open and I think it will be more and more open because there are so many investors who have come in.

"West Ham are ambitious. Aston Villa are ambitious. Everton are a good side. Newcastle too.

"So it's a top eight, nine. It will be harder than ever to finish in the top four."