Arsenal's Wenger targets 90 points for title

Arsene Wenger has set his Arsenal side a 90-point target to win the Premier League. The Gunners go into tomorrow's New Year's Day derby at home against West Ham with a two-point cushion at the top of the table after a 4-1 victory at Everton.

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Wenger believes his side's fighting spirit will make it tough for Manchester United to displace them, but he has warned his players they can afford hardly any slip-ups if they are to win the title.

He said: "We had 44 points before Everton, which is one point less than in the unbeaten season when we had 45. So that tells you a lot about the quality of the team.

"It could be around 90 points to win the title because Manchester United look like they can win games wherever they want really, so we need to keep the pace up."

Goodison Park has proved an unhappy hunting ground for points in the last couple of seasons and Arsenal had to overcome a few hiccups before regaining their place at the summit.

Wenger's script had not included Tim Cahill giving the hosts a half-time lead after his third goal in as many games. Nor did he expect Nicklas Bendtner to mark his first Premier League start for Arsenal with a red card.

But, by then, Wenger's men were leading 2-1 after two superb finishes from Brazilian striker Eduardo.

Everton complained that Eduardo had used his hand to control the ball for his second goal and they were right.

But the hosts were victims of their own downfall as pantomime defending allowed Emmanuel Adebayor to make it 3-1 before Tomas Rosicky sealed the points after Mikel Arteta had been red-carded for throwing his arm across the face of fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas.

Wenger believes West Ham will provide Arsenal with as tough a test as they have faced all season.

He added: "They will have gained confidence from beating Manchester United.

"It's important we focus and not think that just because we won 4-1 we just have to walk out to win the game."