Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the money that has been
pumped into football has made the game "much more dramatic and
tense."
The Frenchman has spent 13 years with the Gunners, achieving
tremendous trophy success and developing many young players into
superstars.
They stand third in the Premier League this season, with a
game in hand on second-placed Manchester United, and another
top-four finish appears a likelihood.
A fascinating tussle with fourth-placed Aston Villa awaits on
Sunday, and Wenger said: "It is a game where we can strengthen our
position in the league, so that's why we will be completely
focused."
Asked what differences he has noticed in the Premier League
during his time in England, Wenger told an webchat on the club's
official website that there have been both positive and negative
changes.
"It has become a worldwide product and when I travel nowadays
I see how popular this league has become and we shouldn't take it
for granted in England," he said.
"Firstly it's a worldwide product, secondly the ownership has
changed completely, the structure of the game has changed. And
don't forget, for example, referees have become completely
professional.
"The league has become much more professional, the pressure
has become much bigger, financial input has become much bigger
which means the quality of the games has become much better.
"All that has changed. In some ways for good, and some ways a
bit more negatively because it's less relaxed. Everybody is a bit
more tense.
"I felt 13 years ago a defeat was less dramatic than it is
now, it's much more dramatic and tense.
"It is because of money and it is all about the Champions
League now, being in the top four. A few years ago it was a bit
more open and as soon as you are a bit out from what is expected of
you now, it is a crisis."
Wenger admits the last four years have been the most
challenging of his Arsenal career but also the most satisfying.
The Gunners have not won anything since the 2005 FA Cup
triumph against Manchester United, by far the longest barren spell
since the Frenchman arrived at the club in 1996.
Wenger insists his target for this season remains the Premier
League title but insists there is no shame in the fact his side
have not lifted a major honour for so long.
"The last four years have been the most challenging," he
said. "It's not linked with the fact we have won no trophies. I
think it is moving into the new stadium and keeping the team at the
top.
"For me the best period at the club is the last four years
but unfortunately it is also the period where we have not won
trophies.
"But people forget we have been reasonably consistent and it
has been the most difficult period, but as well for me, the period
where I worked the best.
"Moving into a new stadium, with less resources, [people
should] respect the fact we have still made some money in every
single year without the team dropping a level and maintaining a
successful period in the Champions League and reasonably in the
league. I think it was quite difficult."
Wenger will be waiting on the fitness of captain Cesc
Fabregas for the visit of Villa. Fabregas missed the 3-0 win over
Hull last week with a minor hamstring strain but may have recovered
sufficiently to be involved.
Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Robin
van Persie (ankle) remain sidelined, along with full-back Gael
Clichy (back) and Johan Djourou (knee), while Armand Traore could
be ready to return.
