Arsenal not out of reach, insists Gerrard

Arsene Wenger may have interpreted battling draws with Liverpool and Manchester United as evidence their flair is now supplemented by a fighting spirit which should stand them in good stead for the months ahead, but Gerrard remained unconvinced.

He said: 'We're managing to keep pace at the top without being at our best, while few would argue that Arsenal are playing to their full potential at the moment.

'They are on fire and playing out of their skin, but they have not had the problems that Chelsea, Manchester United and ourselves have had with injuries to key players.

'It will be interesting to see how well they perform when that happens and they go into tricky games without important players.

'All we can do is keep winning. Our away form has been a huge improvement on last season, even if we must improve at home.

'But those who say we're out of it and struggling are wrong. We're in a better position than this time last season and unbeaten, with a game in hand on most teams.

'Let's just see where we are in May, when the prizes are handed out. That's what counts. Out of it by November? I don't think so.'

Gerrard, who completed five years as Liverpool skipper this week, has announced his return to form by collecting four goals in his last five appearances.

'I played through a difficult spell and have come out the other side, scoring goals and feeling great,' he said, ahead of today's home game with Fulham.

'I know I was not at my best earlier in the season. But when you've been out for a while like I was with injury, it's always going to take time to get back into your rhythm.'