Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that Chelsea fully merit being viewed as Premier League title contenders as the two London giants prepare to meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Arsenal sit top of the table after 12 matches, six points ahead of second-placed Chelsea, and arrive in strong form following a 4-1 derby win over Tottenham and a commanding 3-1 victory against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have surged into contention with three consecutive league wins and a 3-0 demolition of Barcelona midweek.
Despite their resurgence, Enzo Maresca’s young squad have often been described as outsiders in the title race. Arteta, however, dismissed that notion, pointing to Chelsea’s recent achievements, including last season’s UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs, and the quality of their squad.
“I think we are all there, and they are there because they fully deserve to be,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “What they have done in the last few years, the squad they’ve assembled, the depth they have, the quality, the number of coaches they have… it makes sense that what is happening there is very positive.”
Arteta praised Chelsea’s style of play, calling them one of the teams he most enjoys watching. “They have a lot of fluidity, a lot of threat and individual talent. They’re very clear about what they want to do, and that makes them really tough opponents.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s derby, Arteta described it as both a challenge and an opportunity for his league leaders. “It’s a big game, a big London derby. They are in really good form, and we know the level of the opponent. But we are fully ready for it.”
The match is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the season so far, with both sides seeking to reinforce their title credentials in the capital.
Source: AFP
Written By Rodney Mbua
