The Manchester United winger Nani views Arsenal as a bigger title threat than Chelsea this season.

The Gunners visit Old Trafford on Monday looking to consolidate top spot in the Premier League table. United know a home win would allow them to jump back to the summit, with a game in hand.

"Arsenal are a bigger threat than Chelsea now," said Nani. "Chelsea have lost a few games and drawn some and their confidence looks a bit low. But Arsenal have been winning and being top of the league gives you great confidence."

Arsène Wenger's side have lost three times on home soil this season. However, away from the Emirates they have been a formidable force, with recent victories over Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa, none of whom United were able to beat on their own travels.

"Arsenal have been doing well. They are growing up in the way we are," said Nani.

In Samir Nasri, the Gunners boast a player who is at the very top of his game and arguably the most influential in the top flight at present.

"Nasri is the most important player in the Arsenal team," said Nani. "He is a very big danger for us and we have to take care of him."

Arsenal might well feel the same way about United's confident winger. Nani's direct running troubled the Gunners on their most recent meeting in January as United extended an unbeaten run against Arsenal to four games in very impressive style.

"I like to play against Arsenal," he said. "It is good playing against any big team but I have done well against them in the past. The way they play gives you a chance to show your quality."

It will be United's first league fixture since they put seven past Blackburn almost a fortnight ago, a result Nani feels signifies his side are in rude health once more.

"Our momentum is growing," he said. "Players like Wayne Rooney and Anderson are starting to play fantastically again.

"It is great because our next two games are going to be very important for us. If we win against Arsenal and Chelsea we will be in a very good position to win the league."

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger vowed his team had nothing to fear after they advanced to the knockout phase of the Champions League and a likely showdown with Barcelona or Real Madrid.

A below-par Arsenal were made to work hard for a 3-1 victory over Partisan Belgrade last night, with Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri scoring the decisive goals after Cleo had cancelled out Robin van Persie's opener.

However, the result was not good enough to clinch first place in Group H, meaning Arsenal now face a last 16 tie against either Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Schalke 04.

Wenger acknowledged that the possibility of a match against Barcelona - who destroyed Arsenal 4-1 in the Nou Camp last season - was a daunting prospect.

Captain Cesc Fabregas insists that he will not risk further injury if he is not ready to return to first team action.

Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Monday to play against Manchester United in what must be a six pointer even in this early stage of the season.

The world champion has only just recovered from a hamstring injury, and has earlier in the season suffered recurrences against Sunderland and Braga this season.

Whilst hopeful that he will be able to lead his team out onto the Old Trafford pitch for such a crucial match, the Spaniard is adamant that he will not risk a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

Fabregas said: "I'd like to be fit for the Manchester United game but we'll see.

"I'll only be there if my hamstring is completely fine, because I don't want to go up there and see it recur.

"With regard to my comeback we'll have to wait a little longer before we know anything.

"I've been outside running for a couple of days now and it feels good – the sensations are OK but I haven't gone at 100 per cent yet. For now we keep working."