English Premier League: Wenger eyes swift Arsenal return to summit

Manager looks to restore two-point advantage over title rivals City

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants his side to apply pressure on their Premier League title rivals by reclaiming top spot with victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Gunners lost their place at the summit of the table to Manchester City following their mid-week 2-2 draw at Southampton.

But Wenger hopes his men can get back to winning ways immediately at the Emirates Stadium against Tony Pulis’s resurgent outfit.

That will restore a two-point advantage for the Gunners over nearest rivals City, who host third-place Chelsea on Monday.

“That’s our target,” said Wenger. “Can you win the next game if you give absolutely everything? Yes, so let’s do it.

“It is a great opportunity for us to win our game and respond to our draw at Southampton.

“At the moment they (City) are on fire. But I believe we have just to focus on our own run because if you look at the schedule, if we are consistent we have a good chance to do it.

“You cannot speculate on any weakness in Man City in the coming months. So let’s focus on us, and our strengths, in the coming months.”

Arsenal have suffered a major injury blow, with Aaron Ramsey ruled out for up to six weeks with a recurrence of a thigh problem.

Rodgers takes stock of Liverpool’s progress

Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool’s trip to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday is a significant landmark in the club’s development since he took over at Anfield.

Rodgers’ side were beaten 3-0 at the Hawthorns on the opening day of last season in the Liverpool manager’s first league match in charge.

However, Liverpool are much improved now and sit firmly in the thick of the race for a Champions League place.

Rodgers accepts that there is still plenty more progress to make but has been pleased with the changes he has implemented since August 2012.

“We’ve grown,” he said. “If I look back at my time here over the last 18 months, I look back at the first game we played against West Brom.

“It’s ironic that we play them this weekend. Over the course of 18 months, we’ve implemented a method to our play. We have become a team. We understand the game much better in terms of how we want to work and how we want to play.

“The important trait in any successful team is character, and we have got that. It’s something that makes me very happy, but we’ve still got a way to go.”

Liverpool are firm favourites to take the three points at the Hawthorns following their 4-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton in midweek.