The belief that West Ham - despite their recent improved form of one defeat in seven and seventh place in the Premiership - can stop the Gunners at Highbury tonight and win only their fourth away league game of the season does not even exist in the heads of even the most die-hard Hammers fan.

Victory will see Arsenal move four points clear of Liverpool and five ahead of Manchester United.

Two more wins would do it and the North Londoners could even afford to lose their Old Trafford showdown on May 8 and still lift the crown.

Liverpool, in second, can only live in hope. They have three left and a tricky trip to Spurs on Saturday lunchtime.

It has never a happy hunting ground for the Anfield men and by then they may well have switched the reality of their drive towards making sure they finish second and avoid the Champions League qualifiers next season.

You cannot see Liverpool not winning their two final home games against Blackburn and Ipswich, but if Arsenal do beat West Ham then Liverpool’s chances of being champions for the first time in 12 years will look remote.

But dare anyone write of the current champions? They were relentless, awesomely efficient in dismantling Chelsea at the weekend and nobody should bet against them winning their last three games.

United players do not know the meaning of the term, ‘giving up’ or conceding anything. Their mood is uncompromising and they will make Arsenal and Liverpool work for every point, every inch of the way to the finish.

But after losing eight league games - and no team has lost that number and won the Premiership United can only pray for a collapse from the two sides above them if they are to retain their crown and win four titles on the trot.

FORM GUIDE: Arsenal have won ten in a row and Liverpool seven in a relentless search of the title.

Manchester United have won only five of their last seven and will look back at a home defeat by Middlesbrough and an away draw at now relegated Derby in that run as crucial.

That is five points that have gone begging that would see them top of the table now.

United’s European dreams could well be counting against them, the distraction of Glasgow and fulfilling Fergie’s personal dream.

Arsenal - unbeaten since December in the league - went out much earlier, Liverpool collapsed in Leverkusen, and it has given both the chance to focus on one objective.

INJURIES: Just when United did not need problems, they have been without Juan Sebastian Veron, David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ronny Johnsen, four key men that even with their depth of squad are very, very hard to replace.

Between the two legs of the Champions League semi-final, they have got only Ipswich to face, but if they get a good result in the first clash with Leverkusen, Sir Alex Ferguson will want to conserve their energies to make sure of his Glasgow date.

Arsenal’s loss of Robert Pires and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, as well as Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell, has been absorbed within the framework of a massive squad.

The Gunners have been playing the most exciting, expansive football and have combined efficiency with flair and have the likes of Kanu, Edu and Ray Parlour to plug the holes.

Liverpool have survived a tough campaign without too many serious injuries, although Jamie Redknapp - now departed - and Markus Babbel have had long-term problems.

Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard have both played more than 40 games each and been nursed carefully while Patrik Berger and Nick Barmby are now back in e squad.

KEY FIXTURES: For Liverpool, it is today’s trip to Spurs. It has never been their happiest hunting ground and despite the Londoners’ recent poor form, Gerard Houllier’s men have be up for this one.

Arsenal, after overcoming the tricky London derby against West Ham, have the luxury of knowing their toughest assignment away at Manchester United may not even matter in the equation. They can afford to lose it and still win the title.

Manchester United will see the Arsenal game as make-or-break and will batter Charlton on the last day.

Away at Ipswich they have found the Suffolk side spirited and difficult in the past, but even though the Tractor Boys grabbed a lifeline with Wednesday’s victory against Boro, you cannot see United failing when it means so much.

MANAGERS: Ferguson is in his element. Goading Arsene Wenger over the Double, driving his players with added zeal and fire. In a tight spot he is the best, but even his massive influence may not be enough now.

Wenger has tried to remain above all the mind games, but always manages a bite back. In Arsenal’s current position he will demand calm and concentration and he will get it.

He has been this route before, won the title and Double, so knows what to expect.

Houllier has talked a good game of late, and he knows his side will not crack under the pressure even if this is foreign territory for most of them.

But after the Derby victory, Houllier was asking and pleading for others to drop points, make a mistake and let his relentleside in. They have won 11 of their last 12 in the league and will grasp at any slip by their rivals - Houllier will see to that.

VERDICT: Arsenal have to throw it away. Surely they will win at Bolton and pound Everton at Highbury as they always do. It was a victory over Everton on the final day that won them the title last time, an omen surely.

Liverpool will finish second, and that is a real achievement and underlines a points improvement in every season under Houllier.

Manchester United will not like the idea of having to qualify for the Champions League next season from third spot that is providing they do not win the trophy in Glasgow but unless Arsenal collapse and Liverpool crumble, third is surely the best United