Ian Wright has backed Arsene Wenger to make Arsenal ‘stronger‘ next season.

The former striker was speaking at the launch of the Barclay’s Asia Cup which will see Arsenal pitted against Everton, Stoke (urgh), and a Singapore XI in the summer as part of their pre-season preparations.

Vying for second place in the Premier League this season as well as a record-breaking 12th FA Cup win, the Gunners have exceeded expectations despite having to compete for the first half of the season with the majority of their squad in the treatment room, something that rarely ever gets mentioned as pundits discuss why Arsenal had a slow start to the season.

Operating under severe financial restrictions for the past decade since the move to the new stadium, Wright believes that Wenger can make sure the Gunners compete next season now that they are free of the shackles of austerity.

“Now that he has the money and resources to buy the kind of players to challenge Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, they will be stronger,” Wright told Gary Lim of the New Paper in Singapore. “You can never guarantee how they will play, but the Gunners will be stronger next season.”