London: So deep is the gloom engulfing Stamford Bridge that Manchester United winger Nani believes Arsenal have replaced Chelsea as the most substantial threat to Sir Alex Ferguson's side's hopes of regaining their Premier League title.
Carlo Ancelotti's team have won just once in the league since October as the reigning champions, widely regarded as clear favourites to retain their crown, have seen their season collapse thanks to a succession of injuries and suggestions of chronic discontent following the dismissal of the Italian's assistant Ray Wilkins.
It will come as a further blow to Chelsea's pride, then, that their fierce rivals already appear to have written off their chances of recovering from their troubled autumn. Ahead of a week in which United host Arsene Wenger's team before travelling to Stamford Bridge, Nani is adamant the greater danger now lies in north, rather than west, London.
"Arsenal are a bigger threat than Chelsea now," said the Portuguese international of the team United host on Monday.
"Arsenal have been doing well. They are growing up in the way we are. [But] our momentum is growing. Players like Wayne Rooney and Anderson are starting to play fantastically again."
His manager, though, is reticent to suggest that even victories in their forthcoming high-profile encounters will decide the destiny of the title, such is the bizarre nature of the Premier League this season. United have won just once away from Old Trafford.
"It is a strange league," said Ferguson. "We have to give credit to the lower parts of the league who are now catching up and condensing it into a much tighter competition."
