Arsene Wenger will not attempt to sign Robbie Fowler despite his ''love'' of the striker's abilities as he is perfectly happy with the four forwards already at Arsenal.

Speculation has continued to surround Fowler's future over the past few weeks as he battles with Michael Owen and Emile Heskey for a place in the Liverpool team following his return from lengthy injury problems.

Chelsea have held talks with Liverpool this week to make clear their continued interest in him and will continue to monitor the situation armed with the £12m raised by selling Tore Andre Flo.

But it was made clear to them that the England international was not for sale as Gerard Houllier will not allow him to leave unless he puts in a transfer request.

If Fowler ever did become available, Arsenal would be expected to be at the front of the queue given that Wenger has never made any secret of his high regard for the 25-year-old.

However, he insisted ahead of today's clash with Liverpool at Anfield: ''At the moment, I'm not buying anyone up front as we have four top-class strikers.

''I have enough problems to keep all of them happy.

''I like Fowler, in fact I love Fowler. He has everything - he is a passer and a goalscorer - but we have enough of what we need up front already.

''In football, you can never say never but at the moment, there is no chance of us buying him.''

Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson, meanwhile, said: ''Robbie Fowler is a player we have been interested in for the best part of the past two years.

''Liverpool are aware of that and have always said that if he becomes available, then they will let us know.''

Whether Fowler actually starts against Arsenal remains to be seen as he was left on the bench during Liverpool's impressive 1-0 win at Manchester United last weekend.

Meanwhile, Houllier has warned his jubilant Liverpool stars that his French protege Thierry Henry could destroy their euphoria.

Henry will confront the Reds as Arsenal attempt to ruin the Liverpool party after last weekend's triumph at Manchester United.

Liverpool can expect a heroes' reception from the Kop after their victory at Old Trafford against the champions and current leaders Manchester United last weekend.

Another victory against the country's second-best side would set up Liverpool for a new year of confidence as they march towards glory in the UEFA Cup and the Worthington Cup.

But Houllier, better than most, knows that Henry can spoil the party, as he makes it clear to his men that the French frontman must be watched for every second.

Houllier said: ''Thierry is a very dangerous and quick striker. He is very mobile and has plenty of movement up front.

''He can score goals, right foot, left foot, and he has improved a lot I think in the past two years. He's a world champion, a European champion, and as everyone knows I have known him for a very long time and he's a very gifted player.''

It's that sort of accolade from one French master to a pupil that should not be ignored by Liverpool's players.

Houllier said: ''Arsenal have been through a bit of a dip in form, but they are back to their very best now. They showed that when they came back to draw at Spurs this week, which is a very difficult ground to get any points from.''

Liverpool also have a score to settle with the Gunners, after having both Gary McAllister and Dietmar Hamann sent off in the August encounter that saw the Gunners win at Highbury.

Houllier seems unlikely to change the side that won at Old Trafford, which means that Fowler is likely to get no nearer the action than the bench with Christian Ziege and Dietmar Hamann both missing out.