The Hammers boss came up against the Gunners in all their might when he was a player at Chelsea, losing the 2002 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

Wenger's squad is, though, now much changed from the days when Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp and a certain Thierry Henry swept all before them, the high point of which was an unbeaten Premier League campaign in the 2003-04 season.

With the Gunners now outside the top four and some eight points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand, there have been suggestions the respected French coach has lost his way with continued faith in the potential of youth rather than spending on big-name signings as their title rivals all have.

Zola, though, sees merit in what Wenger is trying to accomplish - with the likes of new captain Cesc Fabregas, currently out injured, France full-back Gael Clichy and 13-goal striker Robin van Persie having all grown in stature as they matured into first-team regulars under his guidance.

"The Arsenal I played against in my time was a very strong side," Zola recalled.

"It had more experienced players, with good defensive players like Tony Adams, [Martin] Keown and [Nigel] Winterburn, plus they had players like Bergkamp and Henry. They were very difficult to beat.

"Right now Arsenal are very talented, but young. However, I am sure they will become a winning team.

"They need time to improve because the Premier League is a tough place to be a winner in.

"I like the project they are bringing forward, and sooner or later Arsene Wenger will get this team winning again.

"Personally I believe he is doing a great job and he is one of the managers I look up to."

Zola added: "It is more or less the same way as we are doing here.

"You can either spend £200million and get top-class players and win titles like that, or you can do it another way - you go around and get young players, develop them, build up your team.

"It takes longer, but that is the way I prefer to build up a team.

"We want to develop the players we have got and make them better, and to achieve success by doing that."

Under the guidance of Zola, who took charge in mid-September following Alan Curbishley's resignation, West Ham have slowly improved their form following a difficult spell before Christmas.

The 2-0 win over Hull in midweek extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions, which has coincided with a rich vein of form for striker Carlton Cole.

Zola feels it is a sense of togetherness which has taken the Upton Park club forwards, his side now sitting in eighth place.

"I have a fantastic team I am working with. Everybody is very much committed to what we are doing and doing a great job and the players love it," said the Hammers boss.

"When you get staff as good as I have got and the players then half the job is done. The rest is about confidence.

"We were losing games, but the players were still up for it and as soon as we got two wins in a row everything is coming together.

"It is teamwork and I am pleased to be in a very good team."

Zola, who must decide whether to hand new signing Savio Nsereko a first start at the Emirates Stadium, added: "Right now, the players feel they can go out and compete with Arsenal, even away. That is great."