Title is ours if we hit top form - Seaman

Arsenal keeper David Seaman has warned the rest of the Premiership that if the Gunners can hit top form soon the title will be theirs.

The champions opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table when they came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Highbury.

Arsene Wenger’s men were certainly not at their best but, as they prepare to host London rivals Chelsea tomorrow, Seaman believes they will soon click into top gear.

The England stopper said: “We haven’t been firing on all cylinders and everybody knows that, but the most important thing is that we know it too.

“We know that we can play a lot better and we are working hard in training and working hard in the matches.

“We just need to keep it going now. If we keep on winning, then we know that nobody will be able to catch us.

“It will click again and we know exactly what we are capable of. We’re looking to get back to the sort of form we were showing at the beginning of the season.”

Due to the inconsistencies of those around them, Arsenal have so far been able to lose four league games – against Everton, Blackburn, Southampton and Manchester United – but still lead the way.

Where they have failed to make a real impact is against their three supposed main rivals – Chelsea, Liverpool and United – having drawn against the former two and lost at Old Trafford.

Now comes their chance to inflict a major blow on Chelsea’s title aspirations, just when the Blues are in need of a confidence boost after a draw at home to Southampton and defeat at Leeds.

“There is no question we need to beat the big teams when they come here,” Seaman told the Arsenal matchday programme.

“Whether you are top of the table or bottom of the table, you need to take points off the teams around you.

“It’s the same as a relegation battle, the matches against the teams around you are always important.

“Thankfully though, we’re talking about the other end of the table.”

Seaman, who recently played his 700th league game, is conscious of the need to stay fit at a time when the club’s reserve keepers both have injury problems.

Rami Shaaban has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken leg, while Stuart Taylor recently sustained a broken finger.

“My aim is to hopefully steer clear of injury, especially at this time of year,” said Seaman, who missed five games recently with a groin problem.

“Also, at my age it takes a little while longer to recover – but it’s something that you have to accept from time to time.”

Boss Arsene Wenger has already confirmed his intention to recruit another keeper, possibly on an initial loan basis, when the transfer window opens this week to provide top-level cover for Seaman.

However, he revealed that there was no need for panic as Taylor, who was on the bench on Saturday, had been cleared to play with a strapped finger if the need arose.

“Stuart got the green light from the surgeon to put him on the bench with a strapped finger so we are a little bit less in a hurry,” said Wenger.

“But we will try to find somebody. First the money and then the keeper, because it’s much easier to find the keeper than the money!”