
Arsenal appear in high spirits ahead of hosting Champions League qualification rivals Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners take on Brendan Rodgers' side at the Emirates, third in the Premier League and six points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool in the race for the top four.

And in training ahead of the showdown, Arsene Wenger's side managed to appear relatively relaxed ahead of such a vital contest.

Arsenal players target defender Laurent Koscielny (centre) with a friendly slap during training on Friday at London Colney

Wenger must be in high spirits having seen his side win all six matches they played in March as the Frenchman picked up the Manager of the Month award. Free-scoring Olivier Giroud, who fired in six goals over the month, completed the double to pick up the player accolade.

Arsenal welcomed back Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby to first-team training this week in a boost to their squad.

The Gunners boss was however concerned over forward Theo Walcott's plummeting confidence after his disappointing run out for England in Turin.

Wenger will have a heart-to-heart chat with Walcott ahead of Saturday's crunch top-four clash.

Centre back Per Mertesacker (centre) takes his time getting back to his feet after a push from team-mate Calum Chambers

Arsenal's Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez is all smiles in training as the Gunners gear up to take on Liverpool at the Emirates

England international Jack Wilshere is back in training with the first team having been out since November with an ankle injury

Spaniard Santi Cazorla (left) bursts into laughter while Chambers searches for a pass during training exercises on Friday

Gunners forward Theo Walcott leaps into action during a training drill having played 55 minutes for England in Turin on Tuesday evening

Brazilian centre back Gabriel Paulista performs a stretch as the Arsenal squad limber up ahead of facing Liverpool on Saturday

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of Liverpool's visit due to a hamstring strain, and Danny Welbeck a major doubt after sustaining a knee problem on international duty, Walcott could start on Saturday.

But Wenger said: 'Yes, I'm worried about Theo's confidence. He's sensitive and I'm a bit concerned about the damage that game can have on his mind.

'He's not completely there yet (after the injury). But being exposed like that, people have a harsh judgement on him that is not deserved because he does well.

'At the moment he is frustrated, but that is normal. I will speak with him, but I think he is strong enough. He is not fragile mentally, he is strong mentally but he is disappointed because when you come back from an injury you always think you are ready.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has a word alone with German defender Mertesacker as they prepare to host top-four rivals Liverpool

Sanchez was messing around with the cameramen at London Colney, attempting to hide from the lenses

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, who won March Player of the Month award, holds off a challenge from team-mate Mikel Arteta

England forward Danny Welbeck is back in training despite picking up a knock on international duty at Wembley last week

Meanwhile Wenger was particularly coy over links to Liverpool's star Raheem Sterling.

'Sterling is a top player, but I don't want to get involved in that before a game,' Wenger told his news conference.

'That's down to Liverpool, I don't want to interfere in that. It's not my problem. I do not want to speak about any move.

'We are not in a transfer period, we are in front of a big game. I respect Liverpool and I do not want to go into any supposed move for any of their players.'

Sanchez looks on in Arsenal training as Wenger put his squad through their paces before Saturday's Premier League contest

Hector Bellerin (left) keeps his eye on the ball as a returning Mesut Ozil passes to a team-mate on Friday at London Colney

The two top keepers at Arsenal, Wojciech Szczesny (left) and David Ospina walk out to take part in team training