Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he is "confident" that his side can challenge for major honours this season.

The Gunners have not lifted the Premier League title since the 2003-04 campaign and have crashed out of the Champions League for the past five years in the round of 16.

However, the Frenchman has admitted that his side's FA Cup win last season has given him cause for optimism ahead of the new campaign.

"The expectations are very high and that is understandable because you cannot win the FA Cup and finish third in the league and then say 'Look, next year we want to do nothing,'" Wenger told the club's official website.

"People expect a lot from us and it is the first time for a long time we have all had confidence in our environment. Before, we always lost big players and then you would quickly question us. The ingredients are there but I am long enough in the job to know we have to prove that with points.

"So I am confident because we have played well, but I am realistic as well. You know when the competition starts it's a different game and you have to transform your performance into points."

Arsenal face Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday.