Arsenal believe they have the upper hand on Liverpool in the battle for Aston Villa midfielder Stewart Downing.
The Daily Mail says Arsenal have moved to hijack Liverpool's move for winger Downing.
Liverpool remain favourites to land Downing, having already had a £15million bid rejected last week.
But the prospect of immediate Champions League football could tempt the England man into having a change of heart.
Arsene Wenger wants Downing, 26, as a replacement for Samir Nasri, who is set to leave the Emirates Stadium for Manchester City despite flying out to Asia yesterday for Arsenal's pre-season tour.
