Arsenal back in the driving seat

Leadership of the English premier league changed hands three times over the weekend but, when the dust settled on Sunday night, it was Arsenal who remained in pole position with their destiny in their own hands.

The weekend's programme started with Arsenal on top ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson's team were first into action, cruising to an unexpectedly easy 3-0 win in an early Saturday game at Chelsea to leapfrog to the summit.

Superb goals by Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer capped a dominating display that showed the champions do not intend to hand over the crown they have won three seasons in a row without a fight.

Two hours later, Liverpool went top after two goals from Michael Owen sunk Derby County 2-0 at Anfield, relegating The Rams in the process.

On Sunday, it was Arsenal's turn. For a while it looked as if they might be the ones to slip up as Ipswich Town, fighting for their premier league survival, frustrated Arsene Wenger's side in a tense Highbury encounter.

But two goals for Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, after 68 and 78 minutes, settled the nerves and swung the momentum firmly back in Arsenal's favour.

WINNING THREE

The Gunners have 75 points from 34 games. Liverpool have 74 from 35 while United have 73, also from 35. Arsenal will take the title if they win three of their remaining four matches.

The first of those is at home to West Ham United on Wednesday, followed by a visit to Bolton Wanderers on April 29.

If they win both and their rivals slip up badly, the title could be at Highbury by the time Arsenal face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 4.

However, the more likely scenario is that the title race will still be very much alive when they return to league action with a bang four days later in the re-arranged game against United at Old Trafford.

The good news for The Gunners is that, assuming wins over West Ham and Bolton, they can afford to lose the "showdown" and still be crowned champions by beating Everton in front of their own fans in the final match of the season three days later.

Their last championship triumph four years ago was also clinched against Everton, a 4-0 thrashing with captain Tony Adams triumphantly blasting in the final goal.

Wenger, of course, is not allowing himself to look beyond West Ham on Wednesday but, after enduring a frustrating hour on Sunday when his side twice hit the woodwork and saw Ipswich do the same, he was happy to be back in control.

NOT DONE

"It is there to be won but it is not done yet," the Arsenal manager said.

"If we keep winning our games, we will not have to worry about the other teams' results.

"This team is solid as a rock and has shown outstanding behaviour up to now and I think they will continue to show that for the rest of the season."

Liverpool need Arsenal to slip if they are to take their first championship in 12 years -- but must also win their last three games.

They face Tottenham Hotspur away next Saturday, host Blackburn Rovers on May 5 and finish against Ipswich at Anfield.

"The lads feel they can win their last three games and I agree with them," said manager Gerard Houllier.

"Arsenal still have to go to Manchester United and have a London derby against West Ham. I just hope they drop a few points.

WONDERFUL RACE

"It's a wonderful race and we could get over 80 points and still not win it. But we will take our hats off to the team that gets more points than us."

United's attention will turn to the Champions League on Wednesday and their involvement in that competition is unlikely to help their domestic chances.

They visit Ipswich next week, then host Arsenal before finishing at home against Charlton Athletic and, although Ferguson will be without Roy Keane and David Beckham for the run-in, the United manager is anxious not to look for excuses.

"I think that it is overplayed," he said of the injuries to his top midfielders after Saturday's victory at Stamford Bridge. "People forget about players like Nicky Butt quite easily and Phil Neville did a marvellous job for us.

"The spirit of the team tells me that we'll handle it without Roy and David."