Arsene Wenger has told Arsenal that they cannot expect to challenge for the Premier League title if they lose to Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Gunners, who sit sixth in the table, would move level on points with the second-placed Red Devils with a victory, and Wenger feels that this afternoon's contest in North London represents the first blockbuster of the 2015-16 season.
Arsenal have not won a league title since 2004, and the Frenchman says that their home form in games like this will go some way to determining whether they can end that drought this time around.
"We have a big game at home [against United] and the advantage is to win the big game at home," the 65-year-old is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
"It is the first maybe massive game for the top of the table. Without the home form, you don't win the championship, that is for sure."
Manchester City, who thrashed Newcastle United 6-1 on Saturday, sit two points clear of United at the summit.
Shane Callaghan
