Jack Wilshere believes Arsenal could have the upper hand in the title race due to their UEFA Champions League exit.
The Gunners bowed out of European competition at the hands of Barcelona while Manchester United are currently tackling Chelsea.
While Sir Alex Ferguson's side have tricky-looking midweek games to contend with, Arsenal have the full week off.
The Gunners stayed in touch with United at the weekend after they got the better of Blackpool on Sunday, 24 hours after the leaders saw off Fulham on home soil.
Ferguson has been rotating his squad to keep his players fresh and Wilshere believes the continuity that comes with having just one game a week could prove crucial come May.
"United rotated their team against Fulham and did well," explained Wilshere.
"But I think eventually playing in Europe is going to catch up with them.
"We have a week between every game so it can only be good for us.
"We have a game in hand and United have still got to come to the Emirates.
"If we win those games we are within one point of them.
"We are confident they will drop points. We are ready to take advantage if they slip."