Manager Arsene Wenger has challenged his Arsenal team to raise their game against direct title rivals and deliver a first Premier League crown for a decade.

The Gunners host managerless Crystal Palace today, and are out to make a flying start to the new campaign, with morale high following last weekend’s 3-0 win over a makeshift Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley.

After ending their nine-year barren run with an FA Cup final victory in May, Wenger is confident Arsenal – boosted by the £35 million (Dh214.6m) summer signing of Chile forward Alexis Sanchez – have the platform on which to mount a sustained title assault.

“I believe we have a chance because we were a long time top of the league last year,” Wenger said.

“It is difficult to know how much better the other teams will be. We have some challenges we have of course to face that we did not face well last year, and that means we have to take more points from the top teams.

“That will be our real challenge this year and also to keep the consistency against the teams who do not fight for the championship.

“We finished fourth last year and made 79 points. Man City won it with 86, so it was very tight in the top four, that is one or two games.”

Wenger was confident Arsenal can get the better of the Palace, who will have Keith Millen in charge following boss Tony Pulis’ shock exit