London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted his side aren't yet out of the title race ahead of their Premier League meeting with leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

It is five seasons since Arsenal won the title, and their inconsistency this season sees them in fifth place and eight points off the top.

But Wenger, speaking to the club website as part of their 'Be a Gooner, Be a Giver' campaign supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust, insisted they are still fighting.

"I believe this team is not far off and can get there as much as the team in 2004," he said.

"That is the question we want to answer in the next month, to not only show that we have potential, but that we can respond to the expectation level of our fans.

"At the moment, we swim a bit against the stream because we do not feel that (people) around the team has the same belief as we do inside.

"We can understand that and take it on board because we lost some games which we should not have lost."

Injuries have blunted Arsenal this season, and the continuing absence of Theo Walcott continues to be problematic. But the good news for Arsenal is that centre-forward Eduardo da Silva is nearing full fitness after suffering a horrific leg-break last season.

Striker Fernando Torres will again be missing for Liverpool, leaving manager Rafa Benitez with a dilemma over whether to select the out-of-form Robbie Keane.

With Manchester United not playing due to Club World Championship dury, this is an opportunity for the other members of the Big Four to put clear water between themselves and the champions.

Chelsea could move eight points ahead if they win at Everton on Monday, and so record a ninth straight away victory this season.

A win would also take them back to the top, if Liverpool fail to win at Arsenal.

Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa, meanwhile, having clambered over Arsenal last week, travel to West Ham United, knowing a win would put them third.

A second-string side lost in the UEFA Cup at SV Hamburg on Wednesday, but Hamburg coach Martin Jol believes they have what it takes to finish in the top four.

"The first-team of Aston Villa are better than Arsenal and, next season, Villa will be playing in the Champions League," said the former Tottenham boss.

"They have a very clever manager and I cannot imagine him not wanting first spot."

At the bottom, Blackburn Rovers host Stoke City for their first game under new manager Sam Allardyce, while Sunderland will be hoping to carry on the momentum of last week's 4-0 win over West Brom away to Hull City.