Arsene Wenger knows his Arsenal can decide the destiny of the Premiership title this season.

Wenger said: "We are on a very strong run at the moment and we want to keep that going, starting at Wigan this weekend. We have to play Chelsea, Liverpool and United in the league, so we will have a massive influence on the title race, even if we are too far behind to win it now.

"Our first target is to get even further away from Aston Villa. But then we want to get as close as possible to Chelsea and Liverpool. Third place is very important this time because it means automatic qualification for the Champions League next season.

"If you finish fourth you go into the qualifying round and this time it will be an open draw, which means you can get anyone. Third place can make a massive difference. The title race is exactly how everyone wants it because, with seven games to go, nobody knows who is going to be champions. In terms of match schedule, it is Chelsea who have the best run-in. But they are four points behind United, who also have a game in hand. And that is quite a big distance.

"I still think, with the game in hand, United are in the strongest position. If they win that match, at home to Portsmouth, they will be four points clear. And with seven games to go that is a big advantage.

"I know they have wobbled recently but even in wobbling they still managed to beat Aston Villa. They will not wobble eternally - don't worry about that."