Vieira title vow

Patrick Vieira today warned Premiership rivals Chelsea: "We're still hungry for the title."

With Chelsea five points clear at the top of the table following Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Liverpool yesterday, Arsene Wenger's side know they face a battle to retain the Championship.

Their hopes were dealt a further blow when Vieira was ruled out of the crucial showdown with Chelsea at Highbury on 12 December after he was booked at Anfield.

He has accumulated five cautions and, having already been ruled out of Arsenal's mustwin Champions League clash with Rosenborg on 7 December through suspension, Vieira will also be a reluctant spectator against Chelsea.

"It is a big disappointment for me to miss those games in what is a very important week for the club," said Vieira today.

"When we are going through a difficult time like this, I have a big part to play and I will try my best. As a team we have to improve. It is up to us. If we really want it, we are going to do it. The quality and the hunger to keep the title is there. We know what we have to do."

With Brazilians Gilberto Silva and Edu injured, manager Arsene Wenger may have no option but to field an inexperienced central midfield duo of Mathieu Flamini and Francesc Fabregas against the league leaders, who crushed Charlton at the weekend.

Wenger prefers to draft in young players when the team are doing well yet, after just one win and four draws in the last six Premiership games, he will have no choice as Arsenal desperately seek the win against Chelsea which will revive their title challenge.