ARSENE Wenger accepts Arsenal are about to embark upon a 'decisive season' and admits he will have to rethink his strategy should the young Gunners fail to make an impact on the English Premier League title race.

The French coach rejected the overtures of Real Madrid, who were reported to have made an offer worth around £6 million ($14m) a year, to 'finish the job' he started back at Highbury more than a decade ago.

Arsenal, though, have so far made only one major move in the transfer market in this transfer window, bringing in Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, 23, from Ajax.

While the Gunners could yet step up their interest in Bordeaux's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, but only should Emmanuel Adebayor leave, Wenger continues to talk about evolution and progression rather than an overhaul for his squad.

It is, however, a policy which has so far failed to deliver a first Premier League trophy for the cabinet of the impressive 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium.

Nevertheless, reaching the Champions League final of 2006 should certainly not be underestimated. Indeed, but for some better fortune along with cooler heads in the games which mattered, both domestic and European silverware could have been safely locked away since.

'The Professor' Wenger, though, remains determined Arsenal will deliver come May next year.

'I am not denying it will be a decisive season. If we are not in the title race, we will have to build everything again,' Wenger said.

Wenger, whose side finished fourth last term, reaching both the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League, added: 'People always expect more than the previous season, but I already put the pressure on myself.'

While harbouring no intention of leaving his post just yet, Wenger, who turns 60 in October, accepts he cannot go on forever.

'I am near the end of my career, I won't be coach for another 10 years,' reflected Wenger, who fended off some stern criticism from sections of the Gunners fans last season.

'I have been at the club for 12 years and I do not want to go on even one year too much.'

Wenger added: 'We do not need a lot of signings, only if there are players leaving.

'We have got a young team, which has an average age of 22 or 23, and one which is maturing - even if it can make mistakes like in semi-final of the Champions League this season.'

Long-term

Despite interest from AC Milan, Wenger has no desire to sell Adebayor - who netted 30 goals during the 2007/2008 campaign - as he prepares for his squad's return to training next week.

'If he does not want to stay, he will leave, but I think that he will still be at Arsenal this season,' Wenger said.

Arsenal have moved this week to tie up several of their youngsters on new, long-term deals (see below) while four members of the successful FA Youth Cup team signed pro forms.

Holland international Robin van Persie, last season's top scorer, is expected to agree terms on a new deal shortly.

Arsenal's first-team squad reassembled at London Colney yesterday, although captain Cesc Fabregas has been given some extra time off following his Confederations Cup campaign with Spain, along with England Under-21 pair Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs.

The Gunners open the new Premier League campaign at Everton and face a Champions League qualifier the following week.

PA Sport