Arsène Wenger is reluctant to discuss whether Arsenal are genuine players in the title race, but he is convinced that the top four are vulnerable, with ample evidence that Manchester United, the new leaders, could wobble.

“United won 1-0 against Wigan, they won 1-0 against Bolton in the last minute, that indicates they can drop points,” the Arsenal manager said. “They have a massive squad and that’s an advantage for them, but, of course, if they have injuries they will have the same problems we have. Nobody is flying through games — Chelsea win in injury time, Man United in the last minute. It’s good because it gives hope to everybody.”

A 3-1 win away to Hull City on Saturday avenged defeat at home in September and kept Wenger’s side fifth in the Barclays Premier League, six points behind United.

Arsenal have won their past three league games despite the absence through injury of their captain, Cesc Fàbregas. “We do not speak about titles, we speak about being consistent,” Wenger said. “We have good momentum, are on a good run, so let’s keep it going. Let’s strengthen the belief and keep going and see where we are in April. Then you can speak about it \ when there’s four or five games to go.”

Wenger denied that a deal to sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg was imminent, but the forward’s agent said that he expected an agreement as soon as this week. Arshavin could cost about £15 million.