Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will win Premier League - and backs £105m Declan Rice price

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his old club will win the coming Premier League campaign after winning the race for Declan Rice.

The Gunners broke their transfer record to sign Rice from West Ham for an initial £100million, with another £5m to potentially follow in add-ons. It makes the England midfielder just the eighth footballer to be bought for nine figures, representing a fresh departure from Arsenal's former spending habits.

But Wenger - who ended his 22-year spell at the club in 2018 - thinks Rice is still a valuable signing at that price and is expecting his signature won't take long to start paying off.

"I think it is a good investment," he told Eurosport while attending the Tour de France. "Overall, personally I think they have made good buys as they are players who are now mature, 23, 24, and still young so can stay together for a few years.

READ MORE: What happened to most expensive English players ever as Declan Rice joins Arsenal

"They will be under more pressure after last year, but they have learned a lot and they can show they can deal with that pressure now. I had to cope with no money at all, so you have to find a different way.

Arsenal is now in a good financial situation and bought what they think will win the championship. I believe we will win the championship, it is as simple as that. I have less doubts for Arsenal than the cycling today."

If only those at the Emirates Stadium were so full of confidence after leading the Premier League for so much of last season, only to fall late in the campaign as Manchester City completed a historic treble.