HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ARSENE WENGER.

The Frenchman makes birthday wish for more silverware on eve of a Champions League group game where he must use No3 keeper Martinez

Stretching it out: Wenger is 65 on Wednesday but is in no mood to be pensioned off

As Arsene Wenger becomes a pensioner, he insists his birthday wish is to enjoy a new era of success, writes John Cross in Brussels.

Wenger, who will spend his 65th birthday here in Belgium preparing to face Anderlecht on Wednesday night, says it is his “dream” to win more trophies and claimed he is more motivated than ever.

The Gunners' boss said on Tuesday night: “I won’t celebrate, I am not a celebrator of birthdays. I just think what is important tomorrow is my team performs well. I will dedicate all my energy to get things right and perform.

“I honestly feel more motivated - more than ever. Do I feel young? No, my age is my age. You have to live with that. Until now I am lucky to be in shape. But the desire and motivation is stronger than ever.

“I am so keen to do well with my team this season. Hopefully we can do it. I feel there is huge potential there. 

“My energies are only driven by that. I want the club and the team to do as well as they can, it’s my dream, I want to give absolutely everything for my team to do it.”

Wenger is unlikely to claim his free bus pass but the North Londoners did get the Eurostar to Brussels to face Anderlecht as they look for a priceless away win.

But they will have to do it in the middle of a keeper crisis.

Wenger revealed that Colombia international David Ospina is facing up to three months on the sidelines after his long-running thigh injury flared up again.

And with Wojciech Szczesny suspended here after being sent off against Galatasaray on matchday two, third-choice Emiliano Martinez will make only his third start for the club in goal - with a 17-year-old rookie, Ryan Huddart, on the bench as his back-up.

But Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is confident the players will rally round Martinez and has every faith in the 22-year-old Argentinian after his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season.

Wilshere said: “We will try our best, he is part of our dressing room now, we know him well.

Stopper: Emiliano Martinez will get the start in Belgium. "He has grown up last two years, playing at Sheffield Wednesday, which is a very tough league to play in, especially in England as a foreign lad.

"We’re confident in him, we train with him every day, see what he can do and he’ll be ready.”

Wenger added: “I am extremely confident (he can handle it), He has experience from Sheffield Wednesday last year and when he played for us he did very well. I have no special worry about that.

“He has good experience, he has grown in stature as well. I believe we have to make sure it is as comfortable a night as possible, that is by defending well as a team.”