Pressure on Arsenal to improve stuttering form

Arsene Wenger knows his side cannot afford to lose against Everton tonight if they are to stay in the hunt for the English Premier League title.

Arsenal have made a stuttering start to their campaign, winning their first two home games but losing at Chelsea and Middlesbrough.

The loss of former captain Patrick Vieira to Juventus in the close-season appears to have taken its toll on a young Arsenal side who lack his quality at the heart of the midfield.

To make matters worse, leading striker Thierry Henry has been ruled out for six weeks with a groin injury.

The Frenchman knows the title cannot be won in the opening month of the season, but accepts his side can lose any chance of winning it if they continue to drop points early on.

"We want to reduce the gap as much as we can," Wenger said.

High pressure

"A club should not be too many points behind and it is very important that there is not a big gap between your position in the league and where you want to be.

"The pressure is high because we want to be at the top and not in the middle."

Wenger stands by his decision to sell Vieira and does not feel any extra pressure, despite the team's faltering start to the league season.

The Arsenal boss believes there is enough quality in his squad for the London club to challenge Chelsea for the title.

"There is more pressure on me because I am responsible for things," he added. "I make the decisions I make and I have to stand up for them, and I will completely do that.

"I didn't decide Thierry would be injured, I just decided that Patrick could go. I knew it was a bit of a gamble and that we could suffer in the short term, but I am confident that we have the needed quality."