Andrey Arshavin is confident he can hit the ground running for the start of next season - and help Arsenal mount a serious challenge for honours once again.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has allayed fears he was set to quit Emirates Stadium for Real Madrid following criticism by some supporters in the wake of a fourth campaign without silverware, and will set about strengthening the squad over the summer.

The arrival of Arshavin on deadline day at the end of the January transfer window, in a reported £15million deal from Zenit St Petersburg, certainly proved more shrewd business by the French coach, who now seems prepared to allow unsettled Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor to leave the club.

The 27-year-old may have been ineligible for Europe, but his performances in the Barclays Premier League proved key as the Gunners fought back to secure fourth place and with it another crack at the Champions League next season.

Arshavin - who has netted six goals from 14 appearances, including all four at Liverpool - believes with a full preparation, he can prove even more of an asset for the kick off in August.

"I have only been at the club since January, so the new campaign will give me a chance to have a full pre-season and I think it will benefit me and the club," Arshavin said.

"I have settled in quickly, though, and am looking forward to the challenges of the new season - one that we all hope will see us bring some trophies to the club for the players and the fans."

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis maintains Wenger, contracted until 2011, continues to have the "full, unequivocal support" of the Arsenal board, who will once again back the manager in the transfer market.

It is understood Wenger is likely to have around £25million to spend should he so wish, much more than previously reported, with proceeds from the run to the semi-finals of the Champions League set to be ploughed back into the squad.

Major shareholder Alisher Usmanov has also indicated he would be willing to meet some of the club's long-term debt payments to help free up more cash for team building.

However, Wenger last week insisted he was not the man to "get the club bust", and is once more expected to be prudent in his transfer dealings.
It is in defence where Wenger's team has been hit hardest this season.

Fulham centre-half Brede Hangeland, Ajax's £7.5million-rated Belgium international Thomas Vermaelen and Gokhan Inler, of Udinese, have all been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was a target in the last transfer window, and Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz is said to feature high on Wenger's shopping list - more so if, as expected, Adebayor leaves with AC Milan and Chelsea said to be readying £20m bids.

Arshavin feels the current squad are not that far short of the finished unit.

"I think we need to buy two or three players, but it is up to our manager to decide which positions he wants to strengthen," said the Russian.

"I would not say we lack experience, since Arsenal consistently plays in the Champions League and always gets to the latter stages of the competition. Thankfully, many players have had plenty of games against top opposition in the Premier League as well.

"But sometimes they could do with a bit more maturity or composure.

"It will come, you just need time.

"From next season, I am expecting victories in the Champions League and in the Premier League."
Elsewhere, Arsenal's youngsters take on Liverpool in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup final on Friday night.

Wenger said: "There are plenty of players in there who could very quickly be in our first-team squad.

"I like not only their quality, but their attitude as well."