Arsenal ready to launch final sprint

LONDON, England -- Arsenal are geared up for the final sprint for the English Premier League title as they prepare for Sunday's clash away to third-placed London rivals Chelsea.

Manager Arsene Wenger said: "I believe we are in a situation where the direct confrontations with the top three teams will have a direct influence on the championship.

"I don't think we have a problem with motivation. To progress now we are in the final sprint. That is the moment where the tactical observation is gone and you just try to win the game.

"It's who can beat the direct opponents that will win it. That's what we want to achieve on Sunday."

Arsenal's game at Chelsea will be played a few hours after leaders Manchester United face fourth club Liverpool.

"We know they are two big games on Sunday. What is new for all four teams is they all want to win the games."

Arsenal have seen an eight-point lead at the top transformed into a three-point deficit to United after drawing their past four league games.

Wenger feels that Eduardo's horrific injury at Birmingham unsettled the team.

"I'm highly impressed by the strength the team has shown. It's true we had a mental blow after Birmingham. It takes some time to recover but I feel the team are over that and we need to move on," he said.

"Recently we have been in situations where we had to chase the game. That didn't happen earlier in the season.

"Against Aston Villa, Birmingham and Middlesbrough we had to chase the game because we gave goals away. Let's score the first goal on Sunday.

"Sunday night you will have a good indication of what will happen until the end of the season.

"But there can still be twists and turns until the end because all the teams are involved in the Champions League. That can still have an impact."

Chelsea manager Avram Grant remains convinced that Chelsea can win the title for the third time in four seasons.

"Every week from now on is a big week, especially when you play against teams who are more or less in the same position as yourself," he told reporters at Chelsea's training ground.

"I am very happy with my team's form. We have played very good football in the last few games and scored a lot of goals.

"I think every manager who gets to this stage has pressure because you can win the title. It is a good pressure but no more or less than before."

Chelsea have played 77 league matches unbeaten at home since losing 2-1 to Arsenal in February 2004.

Arsenal were also the last team to beat Chelsea in the league this season in mid-December. E-mail to a friend