Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists his struggling Gunners will become the best in England within the next few seasons. "I believe that no matter what happens it is important to keep this team together. This team is as good as anything in England," the Frenchman said.

"At the start of the season, we played with (Theo) Walcott, (Abou) Diaby, (Cesc) Fabregas, (Samir) Nasri and Denilson and the oldest one was 21.

"When they will all be 23 or 24 they will comfortably beat all the other teams, believe me."

He added: "We have to keep them together no matter what happens and that is where the danger is in the modern game.

"What we achieve in the rest of this season and the trophies we win is important in keeping players like Cesc and Van Persie."