Manchester derby winner will become Premier League favourite: Arsene Wenger says victorious side can take psychological advantage

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Arsene Wenger admits the winners of the Manchester derby will receive a psychological boost in their quest to win the Premier League.

Manchester United and Manchester City have both started the season with nine points from their first three games under new managers Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

Arsenal trail them by five points already but there is a long way to go.  

Arsene Wenger says a Manchester club can take a psychological advantage this weeknd

Jose Mourinho faces Pep Guardiola for the first time in English football

Mourinho presides over a United training session in the build-up to the game

'The two teams have started well so it will have more psychological impact than a mathematical impact,' said Wenger.

'You could say the team that wins will straightaway be branded as the favourites to win the Premier League in May. It is a bit early. But it will be interesting to watch.'

Wenger will be preparing for Arsenal's game against Southampton when the Manchester teams meet at lunch-time but plans to study tapes of the action from Old Trafford.

'I will watch that game and see a little bit what strengths and weaknesses come out of the two teams,' he said. 'It is about the performance on the pitch and that will be decisive. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Guardiola and Mourinho pictured during an El Clasico encounter

'Normally people after the game speak only about the results, but we know inside the game that there are some turning points where a guy missed the final ball, or someone was offside and if he had not been offside they would have been 1-0 up.

'The potential of the teams, as well, the organisation, the decisions of the managers during the game. All these kinds of things, you are relaxed enough to observe it.

'We know from experience that on these kinds of dates, most of the time it is the big players who make the difference and that is what we want to see.'

Wenger's priority, however, is the visit of Southampton to the Emirates Stadium as his Gunners side look to build on the 3-1 victory over Watford before the international break. 

Wenger will have Shkodran Mustafi available for the visit of Southampton to Arsenal

New striker Lucas Perez could also make his debut for the club against the Saints

Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi are both in line for Arsenal debuts but Aaron Ramsey is out. 

'We'll see and know very soon but what the do in training is very promising,' Wenger said when quizzed on his new signings. 'They have the focus and quality in training that we expected.

'Mustafi is a young centre back and is already internationally experienced. Lucas Perez is versatile, can play on the flank and can score goals and provide assists.'

Southampton manager Claude Puel, who played under Wenger at Monaco more than 20 years ago, will pit his wits against his former boss this weekend.

Wenger will come up against his former player and current Southampton boss Claude Puel

And master believes student has what it takes to be a success in the English top flight. 

'He has good experience because he's over 50 and has worked a long time in France. He has a great will to do well and has a very good knowledge of the game.

'I believe he is equipped to have a big impact in the Premier League.'

Of reports suggesting Wenger had been left in a heap by a Puel tackle during one Monaco training session, the Gunners boss said: 'Puel was well known in training to be a good tackler - even on the morning of the cup final he would tackle, and even if it was the manager.' 

Puel played for Wenger during the pair's time together at Monaco in the 1980s