Size matters for us, admits Cole

Despite Campbell's remarks, there is no question that Arsenal have become seriously vulnerable at set-pieces, which account for 10 of the 22 Premiership goals they have conceded this season.

Manager Arsene Wenger is perplexed at the split-second lapses of concentration that have cost his side so dearly. Cue three days hard work for the defence.

Although Wenger's inquests tend not to include too much finger-pointing, privatelyhe will be asking questions of individuals about the alarming regularity with which Arsenal look susceptible from any set-piece ball delivered into the area.

Normally the manager spends one day a week working with his defenders. But with no midweek game and another free Saturday, they can expect a triple dose of his attention as he works to ensure there is no repeat at Fratton Park on Sunday of the uncertainty so evident at Highbury. Despite the concerns over Arsenal's defending and Chelsea's five-point lead at the top of the Premiership, Campbell insisted the title race was still wide open.

Campbell said: "The title race is not over at all. There are lots of twists and turns still to go and every side has a blip at some stage. We have to believe we can win it."

The England star also revealed that his side have been handed a major confidence boost by the assured performances of Cesc Fabrigas and Mathieu Flamini.

Campbell added: "We played a great game against Chelsea. We have a couple of young players in the midfield who give us a lot of hope because those guys really showed us what they can do.

"Their midfield was vastly experienced but we showed them we could compete. It's fantastic for us.

"We still have players like Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva, Edu and Freddie Ljungberg who will bolster our midfield. So we are in good stead."

Comparing their major rivals in the race for the Championship - Chelsea and Manchester United - Cole added: "I would not say Chelsea are better than United. With the money they have spent, they are always going to have the better squad if you look at the players individually, but it's how you play as a team.

"Of course, they are doing well as a team at the moment but so are Manchester United. We will just have to wait and see who comes out on top at the end of the season.

"Everyone knows how good Chelsea are with the players they have got. We knew it would be a tough game on Sunday, but in the end we were a little bit disappointed that we didn't win."

Cole and Campbell were speaking at an event to promote the United Nations' International Year of Sport 2005 at Somerset House yesterday. Also backed by tennis stars Martina Hingis and Roger Federer, the UN campaign aims to promote education and understanding of different cultures through sport.

Campbell said: "The UN's Year of Sport is a great idea, I'm delighted to be involved. Sport is all about bridging gaps and crossing boundaries, it reaches out to people when other avenues are blocked - perhaps by governments or for whatever reason."