Arsenal face test of credentials with trip to Liverpool

 Two points clear at the top after eight wins and a draw from their first nine games, Arsenal's confidence is sky high after their 7-0 thrashing of Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Tuesday.

 Though Robin van Persie is out through injury, Arsenal have been playing superbly with young striker Theo Walcott having impressed in every outing so far.

 The England teenager, who scored twice against Slavia, has delighted manager Arsene Wenger so far this season and the Frenchman is revelling in his side's performances.

 "It's too early to say what this team can achieve and in the next month we will learn more about that," Wenger said.

 "I still think there's more to come from this team. The signs are very encouraging, but we start on Sunday with a very big game."

   Liverpool, unbeaten in the league so far and lying just six points back in fourth, will be smarting after a Champions League defeat to Besiktas in midweek.

 Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will be hoping to have Spain forward Fernando Torres fit after a thigh problem, while Xabi Alonso, an unused substitute in midweek, should start.

 Arsenal have not won at Anfield in the League since 2003 but they did win there twice in Cup competitions last season.

 Second-placed Manchester United will be hoping to take top spot - for 24 hours at least - by beating Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Saturday.

 Sir Alex Ferguson's side have hit a rich vein of form of late and the manager believes they are on course to achieve something special.

 "My mission, our mission, is to make United the undisputed number one club in England, Europe and the world," Ferguson said.

 "We want to be challenging, and winning, on all fronts. That's the United way. Never standing still, always striving for higher and higher standards."

   Third-placed Manchester City, the surprise package of the season to date, will also face a true test of their potential when they travel to London to face Chelsea.

 The Londoners have bounced back from a horrible run of form last month and are now just four points behind City.

 Bottom side Bolton Wanderers, tipped to name Gary Megson as their new manager later on Thursday, play Aston Villa on Sunday.

 Bolton captain Kevin Nolan said the players were ready to fight to turn things around.

 "We are very concerned," he said. "It is not where we wanted to be and it's our worst start to a Premier League season. But we firmly believe that we have got the players in the dressing room to get ourselves out of it.

 "It's going to be a battle and we've got to be prepared to scrap but there's not a bunch of lads I'd rather be with than those in the dressing room."

   Derby County, just a point better off, face Everton at Pride Park, while Tottenham, whose disappointing start to the season has left manager Martin Jol under huge pressure, entertain Blackburn Rovers.

 Portsmouth play West Ham United, Wigan are away to Birmingham City, Reading host Newcastle United and Sunderland take on Fulham.

DPA