Gunners can shoot down Tigers to retain top spot

Early Premier League leaders Arsenal are favourites to maintain their good showings of late with another win against newcomers Hull City at the Emirates Stadium this evening.

Following the Gunners' fine win at Bolton last weekend, Arsene Wenger told reporters that his club showed they had the personnel to challenge for the major honours.

Wenger was visibly delighted as his young guns displayed their rich potential with another lively performance in the midweek 6-0 drubbing of Sheffield United in the League Cup.

The Frenchman believes Arsenal can end their five-year wait to regain the Premier League trophy if they add consistency to their undoubted talent.

Despite not being a fervent fan of golf, Wenger remarked that he enjoyed watching the Ryder Cup last week, particularly since it was a team event.

Arsenal have now recorded a third straight win in the Premier League, scoring 10 goals in the process.

Hull, in seventh place, have gained four points from their last two games, away at Newcastle (2-1) and home to Everton (2-2). Against Everton, Hull surrendered a 2-0 lead and had to settle for a draw.

Valuable point

Britannia Stadium. After pulling down the shutters to earn a point at Liverpool, Stoke City entertain Chelsea. The Potters were relieved to secure a vital point at Anfield after the referee disallowed what looked like a legitimate Liverpool goal.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's Blues extended their remarkable home record, stretching over four seasons, when they scored a late equaliser against Manchester United thanks to Salomon Kalou.

Chelsea are now unbeaten in 85 consecutive home league games.

Goodison Park. The Merseyside clash between Everton and Liverpool is one of the most attractive derbies in the English football calendar.

Everton received a major boost with the return of midfielder Tim Cahill but the team is still in search of their first home league victory after losses to Blackburn 2-3 and Portsmouth 0-3.

Liverpool are still undefeated this season but last year's poor form at home reappeared in their draw with Stoke. Despite piling the pressure on Stoke for almost the whole match, Liverpool failed to find the net.

It seems strikers Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane are struggling for goals.

Old Trafford. Man. United host Bolton this weekend. Manager Alex Ferguson has defended his players' performance at Stamford Bridge, saying the seven yellow cards against Chelsea did not include an offence for one bad tackle.

Ferguson was disappointed to see his team conceding a late equaliser. He added that the result would have been acceptable before kick-off but after taking an early lead through Ji-Sung Park, Ferguson felt that United should have held out for a victory.

Bolton are still without their first away point after upsets to Newcastle 0-1 and Fulham 1-2.

Villa Park. Aston Villa, two points behind leaders Arsenal in fourth place, play Sunderland this afternoon. The attacking tandem of John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor continues to flourish and they have now scored seven league goals between them.

After their second win of the season, 2-0 against Middlesbrough, the Black Cats climbed to eighth place.

JJB Stadium. The negative talk by the critics about Manchester City has abated after the 6-0 win over Portsmouth at the City of Manchester Stadium with Brazilian trio Elano, Robinho and Jo very much in evidence.

Tomorrow, City travel to Wigan who had striker Emile Heskey confessing that his departure from Liverpool in 2004 still rankles inside.

Craven Cottage. Gianfranco Zola was a darling at Chelsea for a good number of years but now he is fully focused on his new job at West Ham.

Last week, Zola steered the Hammers to a 3-1 win home over Newcastle. Yet, Zola stated that he was ready to be 'unpopular' and make tough choices to succeed.

The Hammers will be involved in a London derby at Fulham today.

Roy Hodgson's team are unbeaten at home, winning two matches, including the 1-0 triumph over Arsenal.

Riverside Stadium. The manager of the month award has again shown that it could become a chalice of poison, particularly for the non-fancied sides.

Since Gareth Southgate was presented with the prize for August, Middlesbrough suffered back-to-back defeats against Portsmouth (1-2) and Sunderland (0-2), both away.

The Teessiders can return to winning form against West Brom. Tony Mowbray's team will be facing a hard winter if they do not improve their performances. The Midlanders have gathered only four points so far.

St James' Park. Newcastle yesterday appointed Joe Kinnear as interim manager to take over from Kevin Keegan. Terry Venables was the last man to be linked with the job but ruled himself out of the running.

Newcastle play Paul Ince's Blackburn today. The latter are coming from their second Premier League win of the campaign, against Fulham 1-0 at Ewood Park.

Fratton Park. Portsmouth are still wondering what hit them after letting in six goals at the Stadium of Manchester last weekend.

Harry Redknapp's troops wants to see a bold reaction from his team in their meeting with the misfiring Tottenham.