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    Exclusive - Arsene Wenger must build an Arsenal team to win the Premier League title, says George Graham

    By Nick Rostron-Pike | Monday, November 5, 2012

     

    George Graham insists Arsene Wenger has to build a side capable of winning the Premier League - and claims Champions League qualification is not enough for Arsenal.

    The Gunners were woeful in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday and many fans appear to be unhappy with the direction in which the club is heading under the Frenchman.

    And former Highbury chief Graham admits there needs to be a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.

    There seems to have been an acceptance of mediocrity at Arsenal in recent seasons. It stems from boardroom level all the way down to the manager. However, Wenger’s ambition is something I don’t think can be questioned. The summer signings of Podolski, Cazorla and Giroud proved the Frenchman is still as hungry and ambitious as ever— Chris Wheatley, goonertalk.com

    The Scot told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “He’s got to look at himself and see where he’s not had success and work out why his old rival Sir Alex Ferguson has [at Manchester United].

    “Fergie has built teams over the years while he’s still been winning trophies and that’s the thing that makes me sad about Arsenal.

    “The problem with Arsenal is their objective is to finish in the top four rather than aiming to win the Premier League title.

    “They’re quite happy to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League. I understand the financial importance of the top four but, if Arsenal get through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, they class it as success and that’s a problem for me.”

    Graham insists, however, that Wenger remains the right man for the job in north London.

    When asked whether Arsenal should sack their manager, he said: “No, I don’t think so. He’s still one of the best, and most desirable, managers in Europe."