Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has acknowledged that next Saturday's match against Chelsea will be a "very big one" in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners edged to a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in a North London derby at White Hart Lane this afternoon, a result that leaves them four points behind Chelsea with a game in hand.

Wenger admitted that three points against Spurs were "vital" if they were to remain in the title race and, with Chelsea dropping points yesterday, the veteran manager is looking forward to an "interesting" encounter.

"It gets us a bit closer to Chelsea and makes the game next week even more interesting. We are now back to four points behind, we have a game in hand and we've played two away games on the trot now," Wenger told reporters.

"We have five games at home and we will see. It makes, of course, the next game a very big one. We needed the three points after a disappointing result at Stoke and I think that was still on our mind.

"Overall, we know to stay in the race it was vital to win and our away fans have been brilliant since the start of the season."

Next Saturday's London derby will be Wenger's 1000th match in charge of the Gunners.