Gunners have the ‘quality’ to succeed

ARSENAL defender Gael Clichy maintains Chelsea have not been “overlooked” in the race for the Premier League – but believes the Gunners’ “quality” will see them finish top of the table.

Manchester United may now be firmly in the driving seat after victory against Bolton took them three points clear, but with the top four all going head to head on Sunday, the situation could look very different once again.

The margin for error, though, is slim. Clichy accepts it is set up to be an “interesting” finish to the campaign, as all three clubs go for both domestic and European honours.

The Frenchman said: “I don’t think Chelsea have been overlooked. We always knew they were going to be there at the end with such a great team and all the players they have got in the squad.

“Chelsea have been behind in the Premier League and that’s not easy because you always have to win your games to catch up – but when you are in third people don’t look at you like they look at the first team.

“We have had the experience of being on top and the pressure has been on. It is good to be top, it shows the quality is there – but it is not bad to be second or third. It will be an interesting end to the season and we hope we can come out in first place.”

Wenger may well have little choice but to name an unchanged side for the trip across London.

Robin van Persie played an hour against Middlesbrough on Saturday in what was more or less Arsenal’s strongest XI currently available.

Winger Tomas Rosicky seems no closer to a return from his knee injury, while midfielder Abou Diaby has a calf problem and Eduardo is out for the rest of the season with a broken leg.