Arsenal defender Gael Clichy maintains Chelsea have not been "overlooked" in the race for the Barclays Premier League - but believes the Gunners' "quality" can see them finish top of the table.

Manchester United may now be firmly in the driving seat after victory last night against Bolton took them three points clear, but with the top four all going head to head on Sunday, the situation could soon look very different once again.

The margin for error, though, is slim.

Four successive draws have seen Arsenal's lead eroded over the past month, while Chelsea's inability to hold onto a lead at Tottenham last night means they are five points off the pace.

Arsene Wenger takes his side to Stamford Bridge this weekend in a game that will kick off after Liverpool have hosted United.

Arsenal also face the defending champions away next month while the Red Devils travel to west London on April 26 to face Chelsea.

Clichy accepts it is set up to be an "interesting" finish to the campaign, as all three clubs go for both domestic and European honours.

The Frenchman said: "I don't think they have been overlooked. We always knew that Chelsea were going to be there at the end with such a great team and all the players they have got in the squad.

"Chelsea have been behind in the Premier League and that's not easy because you always have to win your games to catch up - but when you are in third people don't look at you like they look at the first team."

Clichy added on the club's official website, www.arsenal.com: "We have had the experience of being on top and the pressure has been on.

"It is good to be top, it shows the quality is there - but it is not bad to be second or third.

"It will be an interesting end to the season and we hope we can come out in first place."

Wenger may well have little choice but to name an unchanged side for the trip across London.

Fit-again Robin van Persie played an hour against Middlesbrough on Saturday in what was more or less Arsenal's strongest XI currently available.

Winger Tomas Rosicky would give the Gunners another option but seems no closer to a return from his knee injury, while combative midfielder Abou Diaby has a calf problem and Croatian forward Eduardo da Silva is out for the rest of the season with a broken leg.

The Gunners boss, however, could yet be tempted to give Theo Walcott another chance to impress.

The teenager, who turned 19 on Sunday, was called into Fabio Capello's full England squad ahead of the friendly with France next week.

Walcott - who starred in the Champions League victory over AC Milan - said: "The call-up is a great birthday present for me. I am looking forward to meeting up with all of the lads after the weekend's game."

Defender Johan Djourou is back in match action following a groin problem and played for the reserves against Portsmouth this week.

The Swiss international, 21, said: "It is good to be playing again, now I just need a couple more games because I have been out a long time."

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