Arsene Wenger explains bold claim Arsenal will win back to back Premier League titles

Arsene Wenger led Arsenal to three Premier League titles, but his former club are now faltering in their bid to reclaim the crown for the first time since 2003/04

It's been 19 years since Arsene Wenger stood with his arms aloft at White Hart Lane, basking in the glory of a third Premier League title win with Arsenal in just seven years.

There was still work to do though, and sure enough, arguably the greatest side the club has ever assembled went on to finish an 'invincible' season, and remain the only team to have gone through a Premier League season without losing a game. The current crop may be some way off that feat, but remain in control of their own destiny as they bid to end a wait of almost two decades for a top flight crown,

That's despite dropping points in each of their last two games, firstly at Liverpool, and then more tellingly at West Ham on Sunday. It's led to inevitable accusations of 'bottling it' in sight of the finish line, while Sky pundit Jamie Carragher believes complacency has become an issue.

But their former messiah still believes. In fact, the Frenchman thinks Mikel Arteta's side are on the brink of something even more special, telling beIN SPORTS: "These players have not been in that position to win the league - they will win it this year and then next year will be easier."

There is irony in Wenger's prediction. Retaining the Premier League title was a notion that escaped him during his 22-year tenure, which also included seven FA Cup wins and a run to the final of the 2005/05 Champions League.

However, it's not the first time he's made an unlikely prediction - once famously backing his side to go through a whole league campaign unbeaten. It didn't happen that season, but eventually, his faith proved well placed.

Arsenal's dominance under Wenger was ended the following campaign by Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, the start of a bitter relationship between the two managers. And the 73-year-old also took aim at his old club's London rivals after they were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

"I'm worried for Chelsea," he said. "If you don't invest the £500m [well] then you have a problem. They haven't invested well. They've same weaknesses as before. They don't score enough goals. They've a lot of possession but not enough conversion."

Arsenal meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they host Southampton on Friday night. They currently lead Manchester City by four points having played a game more, and still have to visit the Etihad on April 26.