Arsene Wenger: 'Poor start prevented Premier League title challenge'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has blamed his side's poor start as the reason why they could not challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title last season.

The Gunners had a slow start to the campaign as they won just two of their opening eight fixtures, which also included a 2-0 defeat to the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger has conceded that the title race was all but decided due to Jose Mourinho's men's impressive form early in the campaign.

He told reporters: "It was the fact they started strong and we didn't. They were more stale than us defensively, at the start of the season especially.

"After six games, we were 11 points behind Chelsea. We finished 13 points behind Chelsea. That means after six games the decision was made.

"That is what they had – a strong start while we had a slow start."

Arsenal and Chelsea play in the Community Shield at Wembley later today.