Arsenal seek title boost after Barcelona loss

Arsenal play Manchester United in the premiership at Old Trafford on Sunday. (Photo: AP)

Arsenal will look to put their Champions League woes to one side when they continue their quest for a first Premier League title in more than a decade away to a revived Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Gunners’ 2-0 last-16 first-leg defeat by reigning champions Barcelona at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday all but ended their dreams of winning a maiden Champions League title for yet another season.

But Arsene Wenger’s men, currently two points behind shock leaders Leicester and level with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, could yet end the week at the summit of English football if they beat United and other results go their way.

And Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker, a World Cup-winner with Germany, said there was no question of heads dropping among his team-mates, who are aiming to give the Gunners a first English championship since 2004.

“We have never done that this season, particularly when we have lost a game we have tried to bounce back quickly,” the central defender said.

“I think we have a great chance on Sunday to do that again and to show we are still in a strong position and still competing for the title.”

Speculation over the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford is unlikely to end any time soon but this week’s wins do at least mean United, fifth in the Premier League and 12 points behind Leicester, still have a chance of ending the season with some silverware.

Leicester, who spent most of last season battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, have defied all predictions to be in with a shot of being crowned champions of England for the first time.

Their bid to turn the stuff of schoolboy fiction into reality continues at home to struggling Norwich on Saturday.

Tottenham, who last won the English title in 1961, face Swansea at White Hart Lane on Sunday.