Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he will focus on bolstering his team's defense in the current offseason, believing that is the key to challenging for the English Premier League and Champions League titles in the next campaign.

Wenger, who was invited by FIFA World Cup sponsor Castrol to visit China over the weekend, said that Arsenal had scored as many goals as first place finishers Manchester United, but conceded more than any of the other top four teams.

Five defeats in the first 14 games ensured they had a steep hill to climb, but the players came through stronger, he said.

"The last season was very interesting because we had a sloppy start and then we became stronger and stronger. It has been interesting as well because it is a very young team ... but they have been tested mentally," Wenger said. "The defensive record, that's an areas that we want to work on and that we want to improve."

Assessing his rivals for next season, Wenger welcomed Carlo Ancelotti as Chelseas's new manager, noting that the deep pockets of owner Roman Abramovich meant they are a perennial title challenger.

"They buy players they want and they have the managers of top caliber but it doesn't change a lot no matter who comes in," Wenger said.

During his two-day visit to Beijing, Wenger had the chance to evaluate young Chinese footballers on behalf of Castrol Football Challenge, a training clinic for youngsters, saying more effort need to be made to uncover promising youngsters.

China's poor showing in international soccer has been a constant source of frustration for Chinese fans and those who follow the international game.

Despite topping the gold medal tallies at the Beijing Olympics last August, China and its famed sports schools have failed to produce much football talent, with country ranked No 97 in the FIFA standings and already eliminated from 2010 World Cup qualifying.

(AP via China Daily June 9, 2009)