Gallas demands focus after continental drift

Arsene Wenger's team appear imperious in Europe, yet they have collapsed alarmingly in domestic competition and were warned today by skipper William Gallas that they will have to arrest their Premier League slide - and quickly.

There is no bigger test on the horizon than this weekend on Sky TV's self-styled Grand Slam Sunday Part II, when Arsenal travel to Chelsea and Manchester United host Liverpool.

Part I, just before Christmas, saw victories for the red half of Manchester and North London. Wenger needs a repeat of the latter half of that equation at Stamford Bridge but Gallas is worried his team-mates may lack the stomach for the fight.

The France international said: "I'll tell you why there was a difference between the win in Milan and our next game. It was in the head.

"It is human nature that after a huge game in Europe it is difficult to find the same level of motivation for the following game.

"In fact is, what we needed was an even higher level than we had in Milan. We all have to understand that and we have to understand it quickly - because time is running out for us this season.

"We need to understand what it takes to become champions if we want that trophy. I'm not saying we're in trouble but we have lost our lead.

"So from now on we just have to think about ourselves, not look at the table any more. And we have to win every game.

"We need to have a high level of motivation from now until the end of the season. We have to give 200 per cent."

Five points clear at the top after their last Premier League win against Blackburn a month ago, they now trail leaders United on goal difference and probably face the toughest run-in of the three major contenders.

Arsenal have played a match more than both the defending champions and Chelsea and their last eight fixtures include visits to Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and a home game against Liverpool - United face home games against Liverpool and Arsenal and an away match with Chelsea.

Chelsea have perhaps the least challenging run-in. They have still to play only two of the top teams - Arsenal and Manchester United - and both games are at home. After eight dropped points in four consecutive draws Wenger would now happily settle for the chance to battle for the title on the last day of the season.

"It'll be very interesting on Sunday," said the Arsenal manager.

"Chelsea is a big game for us now and maybe a good opportunity to show just how good we are. We have to turn our form around and lift our spirits."

Wenger conceded that his players were "the flattest I've seen them after a game" following the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough.

Although Arsenal were entitled to feel aggrieved when Emmanuel Adebayor had an early goal disallowed for offside, they needed a Kolo Toure header four minutes from time to salvage a point after former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere had given Middlesbrough the lead in the 25th minute.

Toure said: "We are still in with a great chance and if we repeat the football we played in beating AC Milan then we can rediscover our best form at Chelsea.

"The most important thing is to stay mentally strong and believe that we can go anywhere and win - as we did in Milan."