Vieira: We won't be beaten

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes his side’s consistency can give them the edge in a title race that could go down to the wire.

Vieira expects Arsenal to be fighting out the Premiership title with Manchester United and Chelsea right to the end of the season.

However, while the Gunners are second in the table, they remain the only side in any of the four divisions in England to still be unbeaten at Christmas.

Vieira said: “We know how important it is not to lose a game and we have had that consistency to take points and win games this season.

“If we can carry on like that to the end of the season, then we’ll have a very good chance.”

He told the club’s website, www.arsenal.com : “It’s going to be a three-team race until the end of the season and we know that each point will be very important.”

Arsenal, who have won 11 games and drawn six, trail United by a single point, while Chelsea are level on goal difference with Arsene Wenger’s side.

Arsenal face Wolves at home on Boxing Day, having defeated Dave Jones’ side 5-1 with a virtual reserve side in the Carling Cup recently.

Wenger nevertheless warned his team not to take anything for granted against Wolves, whom he believes will fight even harder in the Barclaycard Premiership.

Indeed, he was also not about to be drawn into making any rash statements about his team being able to go unbeaten all season in the Premiership.

Wenger is still smarting from being quoted as saying as much last season, which led to accusations of arrogance.

“It wasn’t a mistake as I didn’t say it. We lost three games in 2001-2002 and I said that we would try to lose less than that, I didn’t say we would do it,” he insisted.

“We just go from game to game. You can lose a match if a ball goes one side of the post rather than the other side.”

Wenger accepts that confidence levels are boosted by an unbeaten run, even though his side have lost twice in the Champions League this season.

He said: “The important thing is that it gives you something to hang onto and always gives you a good target to say ’come on, let’s do it again’. It shows that the guys are capable of remarkable consistency.

“The fact that we are not top even though we’re unbeaten tells you that every point dropped can punish you very hard. We have won 11 games and drawn six but we’re second – and we could be third!

“Let us first win it and then I will tell how big an achievement it was but at the moment it’s still all to do.

“It makes you very cautious as you know that the league could be won by a single point or even by a goal. It’s very difficult to predict what will happen.”

Wenger has a fitness doubt surrounding Dennis Bergkamp due to a calf problem, although Sylvain Wiltord is exected to be passed fit despite a minor ankle injury.

Ashley Cole is still suspended, with Gael Clichy again set to replace him at left-back, while right-back Lauren will return to start against Wolves or Southampton three days later.

Wenger revealed: “He is ready to come back. I’ve not made up my mind when yet, but he will certainly play in one of the two games over Christmas.”