Wenger says title race wide open

Arsene Wenger maintains the Premiership title race will not be settled this weekend.

Already 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, the Arsenal manager is aware his side have little margin for error, even though they have a game in hand.

Defeat at Bolton in Saturday's late kick-off, coupled with victory for United over closest rivals Chelsea on Sunday, could all but end the Gunners' championship hopes.

But Wenger is not about to give up the fight just yet.

"We can still win the championship. Look at the numbers, we have the potential to do it," Wenger insisted.

"Either Manchester United or Chelsea could have dropped a few points at the start and that is what happened to us.

"We have lost twice, Chelsea twice and Manchester United once - but the difference is the points we dropped at home."

With captain Thierry Henry injured and Robin van Persie suspended, Wenger could opt for Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor as a lone striker, a tactic which brought a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in September.

"You can call that how you want - it is just like a 4-3-3," said Wenger, who may give Theo Walcott another chance to impress.

"It depends who the wide players are, but there is bit more protection in the middle."

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Watford's Ashley Young (21) when the transfer window re-opens in January.

But with so many of his youngsters currently out on loan - most notably in the Coca-Cola Championship - Wenger insists he has no need to bring in any more fresh faces.

"I like Young because he is mobile and has good movement, a high work-rate and is a creative player," Wenger said. "He is an interesting boy - but we will not buy anybody in January.

"At the moment we have enough players. If you look at the number of players we have on loan - like [Nicklas] Bendtner and [Arturo] Lupoli - we are not going out on the market at all."

Earlier this week Wenger admitted a charge of improper conduct from the Football Association following his touchline altercation with Alan Pardew at Upton Park.

The Hammers boss has denied his charge, with both men requesting personal hearings.

Wenger faces a fine or touchline ban but he said: "What they decide will not change my thinking or my belief.

"I said that I overreacted. I have been provoked. I overreacted, I should not have overreacted and that is it. I have managed for 1,000 games and that small incident happened once in a thousand times."