Wenger: This is the best Arsenal squad I've ever had

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that his current squad is the best that he has ever had during his time with the club.

The bold statement comes ahead of his side's visit to reigning champions Manchester City in the same week in which the Gunners kicked-off their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory against Montpellier.

Wenger lost Robin van Persie and Alex Song in the summer and will also come up against familiar faces on Sunday, with Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy both having departed the Gunners for Roberto Mancini's team last year.

"As a squad, I have more quality," Wenger told the Daily Star Sunday. "This is the best since I have been here.

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"When you consider the players out injured like Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Frimpong, it only adds to what I believe. Yes, the best."

New signing Santi Cazorla has been one of Arsenal's brightest performers since his arrival from Malaga during the transfer window and Wenger has hailed the playmaker's performances so far.

"Santi is technically superb, linking the defence and attack like the way [Cesc] Fabregas did for us," Wenger enthused.

"With another country he would have won at least 100 caps. I was interested in signing him from Malaga last season but they persuaded him to stay then they went into No Man's Land and I found it hard to find anyone who would talk. We got there in the end. He is a huge signing for us.

"The Spanish way of thinking and playing is what I am trying to achieve. English players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere are performing that way already.

"I believe this is the way forward and I hope my other English players will follow."