Wary Gallas sounds Blue alert

ARSENAL captain William Gallas is in no doubt his old club Chelsea remain a real “danger” in the race to become Barclays Premier League champions.

The Blues are only four points behind leader Manchester United after beating Reading 1-0 and Avram Grant’s side are undefeated after losing at Arsenal on December 16.

Following another loss for Liverpool, it now seems very much a three-way title battle.

Gallas, who left Stamford Bridge in August 2006, knows the challenge of his old team-mates cannot be taken lightly.

“Everybody forgets Chelsea — but I do not, because I know how they play,” the Arsenal skipper said,

“They can come back very quickly and can put the pressure on United and Arsenal.

“But we have to also put some pressure back on them, because at the moment they are winning every game.

“We have to be careful because they are a danger.”

Arsenal’s young side, led by the experienced head of 30-year-old Gallas, have certainly performed beyond expectations this season — even if manager Arsene Wenger always felt they had the potential to deliver, even without talisman Thierry Henry.

The 19 goals of Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor have helped, as the in-form African took his tally to nine in seven games.

Gallas though knows the rest of the side must continue to chip in and not put too much expectation on the 6ft 4ins 23-year-old.

“Manu is very important for the team. At the moment, he is feeling good and playing well,” said Gallas.

“We are all happy for him and he wants to score in every game. It is important for every striker to have that ambition, to win something this year with Arsenal.

“He has to continue now, because he can be the big striker.

“Against Newcastle, Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas also scored. It is important to show everybody that not only the strikers can score, but that the midfielders can too.”

Arsenal travel to Manchester City for Saturday’s televised lunchtime kick-off.

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men have dropped from their early season pace to lie sixth following a 1-1 draw at bottom club Derby on Wednesday, which makes it just one league win in seven.

Nevertheless, Gallas knows Arsenal cannot afford to be anything other than fully focused at Eastlands.

“Every game is important for us, because everybody wants to beat us,” he said.

“We have to win, though, because we have the ambition to win the league and have to play like we can do at home.

“No team plays away like they do at home, but maybe we have to change that.”

Wenger may have to make do without winger Tomas Rosicky again this weekend, as the Czech international recovers from a hamstring problem.

Although Dutch striker Robin van Persie has returned to training, he will not be rushed back into action.

There has been little activity during this month’s transfer window at Emirates Stadium.

Theo Walcott has rejected claims he would benefit from a loan move, and keeper Jens Lehmann turned down the chance to join Borussia Dortmund, while Luke Freeman arrived from Gillingham.

Midfielder Abou Diaby has now agreed a new long-term deal, and Flamini — out of contract in the summer — could well follow.