Jack Wilshere has claimed that Arsenal's squad contains enough quality to challenge Chelsea's Premier League title this season.
The Gunners finished third in the 2014-15 campaign, 12 points adrift of Jose Mourinho's champions.
Ahead of the start of the new campaign in August, Wilshere believes that Arsenal have enough depth in the squad to cope with the demands of a season.
"Competition is a good thing," the Daily Star quotes Wilshere as saying. "Look at the teams who have won the league in the past and look at Chelsea last year - they had a great squad and we feel we've got a squad to match them now.
"The Premier League is a tough, tough league. Add to that the FA Cup, League Cup and international breaks and players will pick up injuries, so it's important to have players who can come in.
"I think [it's important to start well] and without the European qualifier this year, which is almost a season definer, it gives us more time to prepare for the first game of the Premier League and concentrate on a good start."
Wilshere scored from the penalty spot in Wednesday's 4-0 victory over Singapore Select XI in the Barclays Asia Trophy.
Danielle Joynson
