Wolves win sets Gunners back on track, says Cesc

CESC Fabregas says Arsenal will take the title race down to the wire after they bounced back from the shattering draw at Newcastle to comfortably see off Wolves.

The Gunners’ 2-0 win kept them four points behind leaders Manchester United, but they are now comfortably leading the pack of challengers with 12 games remaining after Manchester City’s defeat at Old Trafford.

And skipper Fabregas feels that there are plenty of twists and turns to come over the next three months as Arsenal chase a first title triumph since 2004.

“The most important thing was the three points. Manchester United won but we are still in the race. They have to play many difficult games before the end of the season, the same as us,” said Fabregas, who does not feel it is a straight fight between Arsenal and United – yet.

“Manchester City have a good team and have shown that and are still up there,” added the Spaniard. “But we are in a good position, Man United and us, so now we will see what happens.

“The performance doesn’t really matter now. All that matters is the three points and staying up there fighting with Manchester United and that is what we are trying to do.”

Both teams are in Champions League and FA Cup action over the next week, before the Gunners have the chance to close the gap to a single point by beating Stoke City at the Emirates next Wednesday.

However, United will then travel to Wigan three days later with Arsenal not in league action because of their involvement in the Carling Cup final on February 27.

That kind of nip and tuck is set to continue until May 22, but without doubt there are some significant obstacles for both sides to negotiate before the two meet in a potentially decisive clash at the Emirates that is currently scheduled for April 30.

United appear to have the harder run-in, with trips to Chelsea, Liverpool as well as that Emirates date, while Chelsea are also due at Old Trafford on May 7.

However, their trip to Stamford Bridge, already postponed by the snow in December, could now be moved back from its rescheduled date on March 1 if Chelsea progress in the FA Cup by beating Everton in their fourth-round replay this Saturday.

That could mean United and Chelsea meeting twice in May, while Arsenal have their own big fixture to reschedule – the small matter of the trip to White Hart Lane which has been moved from next weekend because of the Carling Cup final.

If either Arsenal or Spurs progresses in the Champions League there is unlikely to be a chance of that game being played before late April or early May.

Arsenal are now four points ahead of Manchester City, with a game in hand, six ahead of Spurs and nine in front of fifth-placed Chelsea who travel to Fulham tonight.

Tottenham’s visit to Stamford Bridge is also on April 30, which is looking like it could be the pivotal weekend in the race for the title, and the Champions League places.

The permutations are enough to drive most Arsenal fans to distraction, but Theo Walcott feels the Gunners just need to focus on their own games.

“Anything can happen in the Premier League, that’s why it’s such a great league,” said Walcott. “We are only a few points ahead of Man City. But Man United still have to play Chelsea twice, so it’s still anyone’s really.

“We were happy with the three points against Wolves after what happened at Newcastle.

“If United win all their games then fair play to them – but all we can do is go out and win our games.”