Guarded Gunners take nothing for granted

CONFIDENCE is an attribute in plentiful supply at Highbury these days.

But not overly so. Thierry Henry yesterday insisted that Arsenal had never once doubted their title credentials in their autumn lean spell, but still warned his teammates to beware Liverpool's example, as the Premiership race is not yet over.

Arsenal remained five points clear of Manchester United, who look to be their main challengers once again, with a 3-2 win against Chelsea.

Claudio Ranieri's side are eight points off the pace after a damaging festive period, with just one point from three games, while Newcastle are perhaps the greatest other threat amid Liverpool's continuing slide.

Indeed, the way in which Liverpool have slumped so alarmingly since being clear Premiership leaders a couple of months ago is the greatest warning of all to Henry not to take anything for granted just yet.

The Arsenal striker, who has played down worries over his fitness, said: "I remember Liverpool were seven points ahead of everyone a month or so ago and now they are a bit further down.

"It was an important victory for us against Chelsea but we just have to keep on going. If we do that, then we should be okay.

"But being five points ahead of Manchester United doesn't mean that we are champions. It just means that we can keep on going with more serenity."

"You need to be there at the end, that's the most important thing. It doesn't matter whether you are five, six or eight points ahead now, just as long as you win the title, whether by goal difference or whatever."

While Liverpool's slide has continued despite their 1-1 draw at Highbury last weekend, Arsenal have emerged from their own blip of four consecutive defeats in October.

Indeed, their ensuing defeat at Old Trafford has led to a six-game unbeaten run which has ensured that they enter the New Year at the top of the Premier League and their Champions League group.

They are not yet back to their early season peak, but that does not worry Henry too much, as they have consistently displayed their mental strength and resilience.

"I'm not saying that we have always played magnificently but we never doubted our mentality, strength and ability on the ball," he declared.

"A lot of people were doubting us when we weren't playing well, which can happen to any team in the world, but we just kept on going.

"All you can do is keep on working hard, whether you are playing well or not. We must avoid complacency as we still have to go away to some tough places and play against some tricky teams at home."

Asked which team were likely to prove Arsenal's main challengers, Henry replied: "I don't know. In fact, I don't even want to know."

Boss Arsene Wenger revealed the French international would miss tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie at home to Oxford with a hamstring injury, although he conceded that the striker would have been rested in any case.

"At the moment, it doesn't look bad, although it may come from his back and we need to check. He gave everything and was outstanding," said Wenger.

Henry shrugged off injury worries by simply observing that he was "just a bit tired after all the games we've played but we got the result that we wanted so that's okay".

Team-mate Giovanni van Bronckhorst, meanwhile, believes that it may yet be a two-horse title race between Arsenal and United, although he is also following the Highbury mantra of taking nothing for granted.

"At this stage, it seems like that but there are so many games to go and all the top teams have to play each other, so it could all be different to now. Chelsea are still a threat," he said.

"It was great to win the Double. but we all knew this year would be harder as everyone wanted to beat us and it's very hard to do it again.

"But it's halfway through the season and we're still on top and it's going well, although we haven't won it yet."

Van Bronckhorst, who scored his first goal since February as he continued his return from long-term injury, still has enough optimism to insist that Arsenal must aim for the Treble.

"We are first in the Champions League group and first in the Premier League and now we play Oxford in the FA Cup third round," he added.

"We want to be involved in all competitions as far as possible. The aim is to win all the prizes.

"With a team like this, we can do it but we have to stay focused until the end of the season and, if we work hard, hopefully we will get a prize at the end."