The manager says he is keen to keep his squad together as he plans to challenge Chelsea for the title next season, emphasising his desire to only sign the very best

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will only look to sign world-class talent in this summer’s transfer window.

The Gunners defeated Hull City 3-1 at the KC Stadium on Monday night, hauling them back level on points with second-place Manchester City, over whom they have a game in hand.

The club’s marquee summer signing, Alexis Sanchez, scored twice against the Tigers and Wenger says the north Londoners will look to acquire a similar calibre of player this summer.

“We have a big squad and we have to see now how we finish. We want to focus now on finishing the season well and then we will see what we can do, but the basis is there to build on,” he told reporters.

“We do not need to buy a number of players. If we find top, world-class players we look at it but we have a very strong squad already in numbers, and the basis is to get together, stay together, and start well next season.”

Chelsea secured the Premier League title on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace but Wenger believes Arsenal will be in contention next year.

He added: “Give me a little breather until August.

“What is at stake now is to finish the season well. If we maintain our run then we will finish second and we still have the FA Cup final – we will see where we are after that.

“I am always optimistic, because in this job if you are pessimistic, you don’t go far.

“I feel like we have made progress and Chelsea was the winner this year because they’ve been the most consistent team of all.

“Let’s finish well, prepare well for next season and give them a good fight.”