Summary
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that Chelsea “fully deserve” to be seen as Premier League title contenders as he guides his squad into Sunday’s high-stakes clash at Stamford Bridge.
Although Arsenal sit six points above the second-placed Blues after 12 league matches, Arteta is taking nothing for granted. His team arrives in strong spirits following a commanding 4-1 victory over fierce rivals Tottenham and a confident 3-1 win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Chelsea are also enjoying a wave of momentum, having secured three consecutive league wins along with a resounding 3-0 triumph over Barcelona on Tuesday. Even with their impressive run, Enzo Maresca’s young squad is still largely viewed as long shots in the title conversation.
Arteta, however, insists that the Blues should not be underestimated, especially given their success last season when they lifted both the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup.
“I think we are all there and they (Chelsea) are there because they fully deserve to be,” he told reporters on Friday.
He highlighted that their recent achievements, the depth and quality of their squad, and the series of coaches who have contributed to their development all justify the level of positivity surrounding the team.
“What they have done in the last few years, I think the squad that they assembled, the numbers that they have, the quality that they have, the number of coaches they have, it makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive and they deserve to be there.”
Arteta also revealed that Chelsea are one of the teams he genuinely enjoys watching due to their dynamic style of play.
“They have a lot of fluidity, they have a lot of threat, they have a lot of individual talent, they are very clear what they want to do and that’s why they are very tough,” he said.
Looking ahead to Sunday, Arteta described the fixture as a major London showdown, stressing both the challenge and the opportunity it presents.
“Obviously it’s a big game, it’s a big London derby. We’re going to play a really, really good opponent. They are in really good form and we know the challenge, we know the opportunity that we have as well on Sunday, so we are fully ready for it.”
What you should know
Mikel Arteta is treating Chelsea as genuine Premier League contenders, praising their squad depth, recent successes, and current form.
Both teams head into Sunday’s derby in strong shape, making the clash a crucial moment in the title race and a major test of Arsenal’s resilience at the top of the table.
