Wenger ready for Chelsea

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his side are ready to face Chelsea on Sunday.

The Gunners host the Blues at Emirates Stadium looking to close the eight-point gap on their London rivals, although they have a game in hand, after they slipped up against Sunderland last weekend.

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the UEFA Champions league against Standard Liege in midweek, and now Wenger's thoughts have turned to the crunch Premier League clash.

The Arsenal boss insists his team should not be considered young and inexperienced any more, and is confident they can get a result against Carlo Ancelotti's title contenders.

"Everyone will look at the game to rate our potential, and I have no worries about that," he said.

"We are ready for the game, are well focused, prepared and the confidence is good. We just want to focus on the game like we want to play it.

"It is a big test, yes - but that is what you want, to play these teams. I think there is a period for any team to come out and show its strengths.

"For my team, this moment has come. We are not any more a team that has to be considered to be young.

"I think we have the strengths and we can show that on Sunday that we are strong enough to compete."

Focus
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight games and come into the match in an excellent run of form.

However, the Gunners are not to be underestimated and their attacking football has seen them score more goals than any other side in the league this season.

"It is more important we focus on what we do than any strength or weakness of

Chelsea," Wenger added.

"They are a strong side and have a good manager in Carlo Ancelotti, but I still believe that despite all that, we can still beat them.

"Let us expect them to be strong on the day, and then let us be stronger.

"You know they are a good side and to beat them, you have to deliver a good performance."

Arsenal will be without Robin van Persie and Kieran Gibbs for the game, while defender William Gallas may also miss out against his former club.