Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has challenged his young Gunners to hit the ground running when the new Barclays Premier League season kicks off at Liverpool. The Gunners are currently at a training camp in Austria and played the second game of their pre-season schedule against Sturm Graz on Wednesday night, winning 3-0.
Wenger has been pleased with the way his side is shaping up, as the likes of Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri and England youngster Jack Wilshere have all enjoyed some much-needed action, with another fixture coming up against Austrian Regional League East outfit SC Neusiedl 1919 on Tuesday.
With this season's title race expected to be one of the most hotly contested in years, Wenger knows full well the importance of a flying start as the Gunners host newly-promoted Blackpool next and then travel to Blackburn.
"The aim is to continue to progress as we have been doing," Wenger told the August edition of the official Arsenal magazine.
"We were very close last year - closer than the previous season - so we are heading in the right way. We hope we can continue that this season.
"It is important to start well, start strongly and get into a good position early on and to try to maintain the level."
