West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold is excited by the prospect of facing Arsenal in the opening Premier League game and feels the time has come for the Club to start closing the gap on the top four.
With Slaven Bilic taking charge of the Hammers during the summer and a number of new players arriving at the Boleyn Ground, Mr Gold believes the Club can have another successful season in the top flight.
West Ham United fans showed their amazing support once again during the Europa League Qualifiers and with the move to the new Stadium next summer, Mr Gold sees no reason why the Hammers cannot compete with the big teams in England.
Gold said: “I am always excited by the beginning of the season and this is no different. It could not be more difficult than going to Arsenal but I think we are ready. I am confident we are going to have an exciting season.
“Arsenal are a top four football club and have been so for many years, We are getting closer and closer and they will be looking over their shoulders. Our ambition is to make the top four worried. With us moving to the new Stadium I am sure that is going to be the case.
“We have got a fantastic fan base and that is the key. The numbers have been proven and we had 100,000 fans coming to see the Europa League Qualifiers and that is unheard of.
“Slaven will be coming up against Arsene Wenger and from that point of view you could not ask for a better game. It would be great if he could upset the odds and get a result there.”
New summer signing Dimitri Payet is expected to make his Premier League debut at the Emirates Stadium and Mr Gold believes he could become one of the major stars in the top flight this season.
Gold added: “I am very excited and we have brought in a top quality player. That shows our intent and it shows the top players want to play here. We are an ambitious football club with an ambitious manager.”
To watch the video in full, log in or sign up to My West Ham now.