Petr Cech has set the tone for a potentially combustible confrontation by accusing Arsenal of lacking fighting spirit and vowing to end their Barclays Premier League title hopes.

Chelsea can open a 13-point gap over their London rivals by beating them at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, which would also extend their lead at the top because Liverpool, who trail on goal difference, do not play until Monday, when West Ham United visit Anfield. Cech, the Czech Republic goalkeeper, believes that Arsenal will be out of contention by then, leaving a three-horse race between his team, Liverpool and Manchester United.

“If Arsenal lose this game they are out of the title race completely,” Cech said. “Maybe it is even a must-win game because if they don't win it is still ten points, still a big gap. At times they play beautiful football but sometimes you have to know how to win the game in a different way and that is the difference between us and them. You need to be physical and fight and this is what they are missing.”

Arsène Wenger hit back immediately by claiming that Chelsea are vulnerable, a view supported by their record of four wins from their past nine matches in all competitions. “None of the teams I have seen look to be really dominating this league,” Wenger, the Arsenal manager, said. “There is no team that is not vulnerable, none in the world. I know we can beat them.”

Luiz Felipe Scolari also refused to dismiss Arsenal's chances, but the Chelsea manager is confident that his side will win the title if they are in the top two at the end of the year.

“If I am in first or second place by the last day in December I think I'll have the players to challenge,” the Brazilian said. “We'll be better in the second half of the season, but I need to arrive at the end of the year between first and second.”