Chelsea ‘Deserve’ To Be Considered Title Rivals – Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that second-placed Chelsea “fully deserve” to be considered Premier League title contenders ahead of Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal currently top the league, six points clear of Chelsea after 12 games. The Gunners are in high spirits following a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur and a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Chelsea, meanwhile, have responded with three successive league wins and a 3-0 Champions League triumph against Barcelona.

Despite Chelsea’s strong form, many pundits still view Enzo Maresca’s young squad as outsiders in the title race.

Arteta highlights Chelsea’s quality and achievements

“I think we are all there and they (Chelsea) are there because they fully deserve to be,” Arteta said on Friday. “What they have done in the last few years, the squad they assembled, the numbers they have, the quality, the number of coaches, it makes sense that what is happening there is very positive and they deserve to be there.”

The Arsenal manager praised Chelsea’s style of play, noting their fluidity, attacking threat, and clarity of purpose. “They have a lot of fluidity, a lot of threat, a lot of individual talent. They are very clear about what they want to do, and that’s why they are very tough,” he said.

Arteta, a former Arsenal midfielder, said Chelsea are one of the teams he enjoys watching. He emphasized the significance of the upcoming London derby, describing it as both a challenge and an opportunity.

Arsenal to End ‘Visit Rwanda’ Sleeve Sponsorship After Eight Seasons

“Obviously it’s a big game, a big London derby. We’re going to play a really good opponent. They are in strong form, and we know both the challenge and the opportunity that lies ahead. We are fully prepared for it,” he added.

Arsenal’s next league fixture comes after a busy schedule, including Champions League commitments, but Arteta said he has confidence in his squad to manage the demands. Chelsea, though six points behind, have proven resilient in recent matches and are expected to pose a stern test.

Sunday’s clash is shaping up to be a pivotal encounter in the Premier League title race, as Arsenal look to maintain their advantage and Chelsea aim to narrow the gap at the top of the table.