Arsenal Have the X-Factor, Says Captain Mikel Arteta

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta is confident his side's opening Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Saturday will mark the start of a sustained challenge for the title.

The past 10 years have seen Arsene Wenger's team achieve a top-four finish on every occasion, but not once have they been strong enough to pip either Chelsea, Manchester United or Manchester City for pole position on the final day.

Yet Spanish midfielder Arteta believes that could change this season. (Also Read: Former Skipper Freddie Ljungberg Feels Arsenal Can Win Title)

The arrival of marquee signing Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona, coupled with an impressive pre-season that culminated with a 3-0 victory over reigning champions City in the Community Shield last Sunday, has generated a wave of optimism at the Emirates Stadium.

Three squad members - Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski - won the World Cup with Germany, and although the trio will not feature against Palace, their success adds to the feelgood factor at the club.

The recruitment of Chile forward Sanchez was further proof that Wenger's reluctance to spend large sums on a single player has disappeared; the previous season he had spent a club record £42.5 million (53 million euros, $70.9m) on Ozil and before that Santi Cazorla had been recruited to give the Gunners an extra dimension. (Read: After Trophy Drought Ends, Arsenal Need EPL Title)

Arteta, appointed captain following Thomas Vermaelen's sale to Barcelona, is sure those additions to a squad also boasting young British talent in the shape of Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere can add up to a potent brew.

"In the last three seasons, we've signed 'X-factor' players," he said. "When Santi came, I think fans got really excited because he was giving us something really special.

"With Mesut it was something very special. Now we have Alexis - but you forget about Theo, who missed six months last year and was superb when he was fit.

"Then there's Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack and Rambo (Ramsey), who was unbelievable last season.

"Suddenly you're talking about six or seven really good players that can make a difference in a game and that's what you want to win trophies."

Wenger is looking to bring in a top-quality replacement for Belgian centre-back Vermaelen, and an £8 million deal for Olympiakos defender Konstantinos Manolas could be completed soon.

- 'Set a marker' -

And Arteta says his arrival would complement the earlier sterling work done by Wenger in the transfer market.

"We've done our business early this season so we can start from the off and that's what we want," he said.

"We want to set a marker and we don't want to miss that opportunity. We've got experience now, we are able to win - we have the qualities to do it.

"We have the structure, the fans, the club and the desire to do it.

"Last season was a big step forward. To compete in the most tough and difficult league - where you are facing five or six opponents ready to win the Premier League - is not easy to find anywhere else in Europe.

"When you're playing and you look at the bench, and you see that we have options to change the game.

"If we make the right decisions, I'm sure we will be there."

Palace's preparations are in complete contrast after reports emerged late Thursday that manager Tony Pulis had left the club by mutual consent in a shock move prompted by disagreements over transfer policy.

The former Stoke City manager kept the Eagles up by overseeing a series of impressive results after succeeding Ian Holloway last November.

But it is understood he became frustrated at a perceived lack of backing in the transfer market from owner Steve Parish.

Cardiff City striker Fraizer Campbell, former Fulham defender Brede Hangeland and Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly have all been recruited, but Pulis saw a number of other targets, including Gylfi Sigurdsson, Steven Caulker and Michu, join other clubs.