Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted Arsenal cannot be ruled out of the title race and has called for Manchester United to give Arsene Wenger's men real respect when they visit Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Wenger has already hinted the Gunners cannot afford to lose to United if they want to remain in contention for the championship, having already lost to Stoke, Fulham and Hull.

The Gunners played out a disappointing 0-0 draw against Fenerbahce in the Champions League last night and will be without Emmanuel Adebayor (injured) and Robin van Persie (suspended) at the weekend.

Ronaldo, whose 84th-minute shot set up Ryan Giggs for a late leveller in United's 1-1 draw at Celtic Park, said: "I think we played well and now we need to think about the next game against Arsenal.

"We go to Arsenal to win three points. We know it is a tough game - an away game against Arsenal is always tough. But it's possible to win there because our team is playing good and we play with a great spirit."

Ronaldo admitted he has been surprised by Arsenal's shaky start to the season but fears a late surge from Wenger's men could still put them back in contention.

He said: "Last season Arsenal started very well and dropped points at the end of the season. Maybe this season it's going to be different, maybe it's going to be the other way around. They have lost points at the start and now maybe they will finish strong.

"That's why it's a difficult game. But we need to think only about ourselves. We have a great team, we have a great spirit and we want to win the title again. To do that we have to win three points there."

Ronaldo, however, has warned that any talk of a walkover for United is ridiculous, especially as the champions are yet to win at The Emirates.

"It's a new stadium and maybe that's the reason we haven't done well there," he said. "So we have to be careful.

"Arsenal are having a tough time but we play with 11 players the same as them and I think it's going to be difficult - they are always strong at home. We have to respect Arsenal because they have great talents."

Kolo Toure insisted Arsenal will prove they can win the League against United on Saturday, even though they have now failed to win at home for three matches.

Toure said: "I played against United already and I know what I have to expect. I think it's going to be a good game and we will show them we are still in the race for the title.

"We are still in there. We are fourth at the moment. It's not a must win game, it is another game. We know that the Premier League is really long - we are not in the second half yet.

"We just have to rely on our play. We play football, we pass the ball try to play with our quality."

Nicklas Bendtner looks set to lead the attack against Sir Alex Ferguson's side, with either Abou Diaby or Mexican teenager Carlos Vela in support.