Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Liverpool should be considered as genuine Barclays Premier League title contenders.
Brendan Rodgers' Reds trail league leaders Chelsea by four points, but Gunners manager Wenger believes Liverpool's lack of European battles will boost their title chances, in a statement potentially designed to deflect focus from his own side's silverware aspirations.
Arsenal take on Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, keen to build on their 4-1 thumping of Sunderland.
Wenger has challenged his squad to generate consistency for the season's business end, to capitalise on what he believes could be one of the tightest title races in years.
"It's very tight at the top, Liverpool are in the race as well, and they have an advantage as it is the only competition they play," said Wenger.
"I hope it will be tight until the end, because then it will be interesting and if you are consistent then you have a chance to win.
"You need to be at your best to find the resources to win games, this is a big game for us and of course this weekend we just want to focus on the three points.
"We got the three points against Sunderland who are a tricky team, so we want to do it again.
"We have to look at our results, just focus on that and not speculate too much because we're in a period where we have to move forward."
Arsenal: The latest match picturesShow all 75 1 /75Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Aaron Ramesy celebrates after scoring the winning goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Laurent Koscielny prods the ball in for the equaliser and is injured by Allan McGregor in doing so
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Bacary Sagna wins the header that would lead to Laurent Koscielny's equalising goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Santi Cazorla jumps into the air in celebration after pulling a goal back for the Gunners
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Santi Cazorla curls in a superb free-kick to get Arsenal back into the game
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Curtis Davies and his Hull teammates celebrate after Hull go 2-0 up
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Curtis Davies slams in Hull's second on the rebound after Lukasz Fabianski pushes Alex Bruce's header onto the post
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 James Chester celebrates with his Hull teammates after scoring the opening goal after just four minutes
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 James Chester and Alex Bruce celebrate going in front with Arsenal players looking on
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 A young Norwich fan holds up a sign
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Fit again Jack WIlshere competes with Bradley Johnson
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Carl Jenkinson celebrates scoring the away side's second, his first goal for the club
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Norwich
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey scores a superb volley to put the Gunners ahead
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 The Arsenal players line-up before the match
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 West Brom manager Pepe Mel looks on from the sidelines
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mesut Ozil escapes the attention of James Morrison
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal into a 14th minute lead
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Olivier Giroud celebrates his goal against West Brom
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mikel Arteta turns away from Diego Lugano
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mathieu Flamini unleashes a shot on goal
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Santi Cazorla brings the ball under control
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Arsene Wenger waves to the Arsenal crowd after the final whistle
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud climbs highest to head in his side’s third goal of the night
PA
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 German midfielder Mesut Ozil, right, celebrates with Frenchman Olivier Giroud after scoring the second goal of the night
Getty
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 French defender Laurent Koscielny celebrates after opening the scoring
Getty
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Arsene Wenger rues an early missed opportunity
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 The game is held up while players remove advertising hoardings blown on to the pitch
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Aaron Ramsey scores Arsenal's opening goal of the game
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Aaron Ramsey celebrates after opening the scoring in Arsenal's win over Hull
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Tom Huddlestone beats Santi Cazorla to a header
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski volleys in Arsenal's second goal just before half-time
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Hull players protest to referee Jonathan Moss after Nikica Jelavic was fouled in the build-up to Arsenal's second goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal in their 3-0 win over Hull
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski nets his second and Arsenal's third after Steve Harper failed to hold Aaron Ramsey's shot
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski celebrates his second goal in Arsenal's win over Hull
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Kim Kallstrom leaps for the ball last night, when he made an encouraging start for Arsenal after a long injury lay-off
AP
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Lukas Podolski hammers in Arsenal's third
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Oliver Giroud puts Arsenal ahead with his weaker right foot after showing sublime touch to get the ball under control
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Oliver Giroud kisses the Arsenal badge after giving the Gunners the lead
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Lukas Podolski equalises with a precise, powerful finish
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Players, fans and officials observe a minute's silence to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to kick-off
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Wigan 1 Arsenal 1 (Arsenal win 4-2 on pens) Thomas Vermaelen (third from right) celebrates with penalty-saving goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after his crucial final save
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Wigan 1 Arsenal 1 (Arsenal win 4-2 on pens) Arsenal's Per Mertesacker celebrates his late equaliser at Wembley in this FA Cup semi-final
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates Everton's third
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Kevin Mirallas has an effort on goal but the ball comes off Mikel Arteta for an own goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Ross Barkley has an effort on goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Romelu Lukaku celebrates his goal with manager Roberto Martinez
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Romelu Lukaku goes on a driving run and cuts inside to smash home Everton's second
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Steven Naismith celebrates his goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Steven Naismith slots home Everton's opening goal with a cool finish
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Bacary Sagna goes in for a tackle on Leighton Baines
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Leon Osman receives treatment and has to go off after a clash with Bacary Sagna
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Edin Dzeko can't believe that his deflected effort goes wide
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates his equaliser for the Gunners
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates after putting Arsenal level
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Olivier Giroud remonstrates with referee Mike Dean
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mikel Arteta plays the ball past Jesus Navas
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Tomas Rosicky battles for the ball with Yaya Toure
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Martin Demichelis confronts Tomas Rosicky after the Arsenal player's tackle leaves Gael Clichy injured
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 The Arsenal players walk back to half way line looking dejected after conceding the opening goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Edin Dzeko celebrate after the Spaniard's opening goal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Yaya Toure holds off Santi Cazorla
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho holds off the challenge of Mathieu Flamini
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Mathieu Flamini scores a late own goal
AP
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Oliver Giroud finishes a fine move to put the Gunners 2-1 up
AP
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Lukas Podolski levelled the score with a volley
Getty Images
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Wilfried Bony uses his head to give Swansea the lead
EPA
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Arsene Wenger complains to the referee during an awful day on his 1000th game in charge of Arsenal
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his first goal for Chelsea and his side's sixth on the day
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Chelsea players celebrate as Tomas Rosicky looks away
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Oscar helps himself to his second of the afternoon
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Wojciech Szczesny can't quite believe whats happening
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Oscar taps in for Chelsea's fourth
GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal: The latest match pictures Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Eden Hazard scores from the penalty spot to put Chelsea three up
GETTY IMAGES
Tony Pulis' muscular Stoke side intimidated Arsenal's cosmopolitan crew into untold headaches over the years, but now new boss Mark Hughes is battling to expand that regimented gameplan.
Wenger admitted Arsenal may be more suited to taking on a team built by the former Manchester United and Wales striker than facing up to Pulis' pressgang tactics.
"We had some bad memories but also some good ones as well," said Wenger.
"It's a stadium where before, first of all the pitch was narrow and difficult to play, a bit more open to the wind.
"But recently we have shown as well it's down to the performance on the day.
"If you perform on Saturday that's all that counts.
"Yes it probably is better for us now though, because we went sometimes to Stoke, who had a rough style, we had young players and it was difficult.
"But they have good players, they have done well in the league, they qualified for the Europa league.
"So they are a real challenge.
"Every manager has his own style, he (Hughes) has experience and has shown he can do well.
"Given time he will print his own style of play."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies