Almunia says Arsenal can still fight for title

Manuel Almunia says Arsenal are only a “little step” away from getting back to the top of the English Premier League despite their defeat by champions Manchester United.

The third-placed Gunners are now six points behind leaders Chelsea but can close the gap when they play their London rivals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat to United, currently second, revived doubts about their ability to sustain a title challenge following a 3-0 loss at home to Chelsea back in November.

But Gunners goalkeeper Almunia said the way in which Arsene Wenger’s men responded to that defeat by going on a 10-match unbeaten run showed how they could bounce back and still challenge for the title.

“We are on schedule to do good things this season, we have only a little step to get back to the top of the league,” he said.

“When you think about where we were after the Chelsea game (in November), that is a great achievement. Sometimes it is better to come back from third or fourth to challenge than to be at the top all the time.”

Meanwhile Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said winning the league was about more than results against fellow top-four sides.

“I always felt the games against the rest of the top four would determine the league”, Wenger said.

“But last year Manchester United proved me wrong on that — they won the title after taking just five points from those six games.”