Arsenal v Man City/Chelsea v Middlesbrough: Arsene Wenger last night warned Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho of the psychological pressures his side will face as Premiership leaders.

Despite two previous title campaigns under Wenger, Arsenal's runaway Premiership success last season was the first time they had led from the front to capture the trophy, having lost a six-point Christmas lead to Manchester United in 2002-3.

Such memories cause Wenger to dismiss suggestions that Mourinho's side are already champions-elect after pulling five points clear of Arsenal. "There is no easy way (to win the title) from my experience," he said. "The only thing I know from experience is that many teams have been in front in January and not won the championship.

"Five points is not a lot with 17 games to go. When you are in front you can only lose it, as everyone says you have won it already. So you have to face that prospect, that you can lose it. It is a difficult psychological thing when you lead. It is difficult when the chasers are strong behind you."

The pace-setting challenge has proved too much for Chelsea on two previous occasions. In January 1999 the west Londoners shared top spot with Aston Villa only to finish third; last season they led at Christmas but were overhauled by Arsenal. However, Mourinho could justifiably retort that, having won titles in 2003 and 2004 in exactly that manner with Porto, he is not uninitiated.

Although Wenger concedes that a Premiership-record 100 points is a mathematical possibility for Chelsea, he believes it not to be a realistic total, suggesting that "they look in the games recently that it's not easy for them".

Chelsea's assistant manager, however, yesterday insisted that fatigue was not an issue at Stamford Bridge. "Nobody's tired here, we can't wait for the game (against Middlesbrough) and we're ready for it," said Steve Clarke. "It's been a good Christmas and New Year so far, we want to make sure we come out the other side with 12 points."

Russian midfielder Alexei Smertin trained yesterday after recovering from a virus and Chelsea suffered no new injury problems in Saturday's win at Liverpool.

Back at Highbury, Wenger yesterday confirmed his interest in the Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. On the eve of the two sides' Premiership fixture at Highbury this evening the Frenchman said: "I have said many times that I follow his progress. But his progress is much quicker than expected and unfortunately his price has gone up. According to what I read (City) say about £20 million, so that has gone to levels we just cannot afford."

Arsenal's Swiss teenager Philippe Senderos is set to make his Premiership debut against City tonight after Sol Campbell was ruled out with an ankle injury. Justin Hoyte will deputise at right-back for Lauren, Robin van Persie should continue in attack and Robert Pires will return.