Wenger relishing title battle

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal are "loving it" again as they prepare for the visit of Premier League title rivals Manchester United to Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners enjoyed a period of fierce rivalry with United at the turn of the Millennium as Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson battled for domestic supremacy.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, with the arrival of a certain Jose Mourinho at Chelsea helping to thaw what had been a frosty relationship between the two coaches.

Arsenal last won the championship during the unbeaten campaign of 2003/04, but were genuine challengers three seasons ago when their lead was eventually overhauled by both United and Chelsea.

This year, though, the signs are Wenger's youngsters, lead by captain Cesc Fabregas, can come of age - having clawed themselves back into contention with seven wins from the last 10 league games.

Arsenal started a run of potentially defining matches with a goalless draw at Aston Villa, which sees them now two points behind Chelsea, whom they face at Stamford Bridge next weekend, although having played a match more.

Wenger is relishing the challenges ahead.

"We love it," declared the Arsenal manager.

"Of course it was our dream to be in this position in this period of time and we want to show it now.

"We know that to be successful in this period is to be more of a team than the other teams.

"We have to think how much strength and how much solidarity it takes to get through a period like this - so that is what we want to show on Sunday.

"We are really up for it. We are on a good run. We have good momentum and we want to continue that."

Wenger added: "I believe that no matter what happens after these games, we will still be in a position where we will have a chance, but it can put us in a very strong position - and that is what we want.

"We have had the first hurdle which demanded a lot of commitment from us and we must be capable to repeat that again."

While showdowns between Arsenal and United may not retain the drama of those from previous campaigns - such as the infamous 'Battle of the Buffet' when the Gunners' 49-game unbeaten record came to an end at Old Trafford in October 2004 - Wenger still feels the confrontations will always be highlights of the fixture list.

"I look forward to it because it is a match which always promises good football," said Wenger.

"Manchester United and Arsenal have had some tough games, and sometimes they were not easy on the physical side, but both teams always tried to play.

"It was very rarely a boring game, you always thought at the start it would be a great football game, and so you love that."

Wayne Rooney is enjoying a fine season with United, having netted 21 goals in all competitions this term.

The England striker, though, maintains it would be "nonsense" to suggest the Red Devils were a one-man team, and Wenger agrees.

"I do not think they are over-reliant on Rooney," the Arsenal manager said.

"They changed their system a little bit the other night [against Manchester City in the Carling Cup] and did not play with two strikers.

"They played with only Rooney up front and then of course he becomes the focal point of the game, but they have plenty of players.

"For example, in the game on Wednesday night, [Ryan] Giggs was as well very influential.

"Rooney was at the end of things, but Giggs created a lot in the game."

Veteran Sol Campbell could be in line for a first appearance at Emirates Stadium after rejoining the club as centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is doubtful with a knee problem picked up in midweek.

United are missing Rio Ferdinand as the England defender starts a four-match ban.

With Croatia striker Eduardo out because of a hamstring injury, Wenger is toying with the idea of having target man Nicklas Bendtner, fit again after groin surgery, lead the attack.

"To start Bendtner is going through my mind, but he has only had one training session and 20 minutes of action in three months," Wenger said.