Arsenal will be hoping to shake off their inconsistent start to the English Premier League season this weekend and regain top spot.

With joint leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, and third-placed Aston Villa all not in action until Sunday, Arsenal have the chance to move back to the top, for 24 hours at least.

To do that, they will have to win at Sunderland, having suffered a humbling defeat at home to another another north-east side, Hull City, last weekend.

That was their second league defeat of the season and manager Arsene Wenger is demanding the same kind of concentration they showed in midweek, when they bounced back with a 4-0 win over Porto in the Champions League.

"We were focused (against Porto) and at that level, whether it is the Premier League or the Champions League that is vital," Wenger said. "I believe that on Saturday (against Hull) we were caught by a lack of focus.

"I think the team is maturing and there is big potential in the side. We want to be intelligent and in the end you measure that on how well we do together."

Chelsea, meanwhile, will have to cope with mounting injury problems as they welcome third-placed Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba looks set to be out for up to six weeks with a knee problem, joining Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho as long-term absentees, while Deco and Joe Cole are also struggling.

Villa, just one point behind, are unlikely to make life easy for Chelsea, just as they did when the two sides met in London last Christmas, sharing a thriller 4-4.

"I'm hoping there might be fewer goals this time, although I'm not going to complain if we go back to Stamford Bridge and score four again," Villa defender Curtis Davies said.

"Chelsea believe they can win any game, especially at home. It will be an acid test of how far we've come as a side."

Liverpool, like Chelsea still unbeaten in all competitions this season, travel to face the big spenders of Manchester City.

Rafael Benitez's side are full of confidence after a second Champions League win out of two, with Robbie Keane having scored his first goal for the club and captain Steven Gerrard fresh from smashing in his 100th.

"I feel good," Gerrard said. "I've got three or four games under my belt now (after groin surgery) and I'm confident I'm approaching top form. I am happy with my last two performances and now I'll try to build on that for Sunday."

West Ham United, perhaps the surprise package of the new season to date, face Bolton hoping to maintain or improve on their joint-fourth position.

Champions Manchester United, still languishing in the bottom half, travel to Blackburn Rovers without the injured Paul Scholes, while Wayne Rooney is also doubtful with an ankle problem.

Hull look to build on their win over Arsenal by seeing off another north London side, Tottenham Hotspur, who desperately need points after slumping to the bottom of the table.

Caretaker manager Joe Kinnear takes charge of Newcastle United for the first time at Everton, while West Bromwich Albion play Fulham, Wigan Athletic take on Middlesbrough and Portsmouth clash with Stoke City at Fratton Park.