Wenger Dismisses Retirement Rumours

Arsene Wenger has dismissed rumours that he is contemplating retirement and declared he wants to continue working as long as possible. The 62-year-old Frenchman is in his 16th year at the club and says he is excited by the prospect of rebuilding his team.

Wenger is contracted to the Emirates until 2014 but doubts over his future emerged after the club's poor start to last season (highlighted by the 2-8 defeat to Manchester United) and subsequent inconsistent performances, not to mention his inability to persuade star players Robin van Persie and Alex Song to remain with the club.

"There are still miles in my legs. In life it is like you are going on a mission and it does not cross my mind to finish. You work as long as you can," Wenger said, ahead of the game against Liverpool.

"Yes, I have to rebuild - but to rebuild is exciting," he added. "You look when the internationals start and my players will be in their country's squads."

Group Stage Favourites

Wenger also assessed his side's chances in the group stages of the Champions League. The Gunners have been drawn against French champions Montpellier, Greek champions Olympiakos and German club Schalke.

"We will be favourites because we have the biggest experience in this group. We want a good start but Montpellier have a lot of psychological investment in this Champions League, so it is important for us to be highly focused," he was quoted as saying by Metro.

The other English teams have drawn similarly straightforward groups, with the exception of champions Manchester City. Roberto Mancini's men are in the ultimate "group of death" and will play reigning Dutch and German champions Ajax and Borussia Dortmund, as well as Spanish champions and European giants Real Madrid.

Russian Vows Recall

Arsenal's forgotten midfielder, Andrei Arshavin, has vowed to earn a recall to the national squad, after being dropped by new coach Fabio Capello for World Cup 2014 qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Israel. The former Zenit St Petersburg player has admitted he needs to improve his performances and play regular first team football for his club before contemplating playing for his country.

"I talked to Fabio during our last training camp (in August) and he told me he would not select me next time if I don't play enough for my club so his decision looks very logical," Arshavin was quoted as saying in a Reuters report, "It doesn't surprise me at all."