Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted the Gunners are contenders for the Premier League title – for the moment at least – after they returned to the top of the points table with a win over Chelsea.
Chelsea hosted Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the London derby in a Premier League fixture on Sunday. The visitors got the better of the hosts, securing a 1-0 win over the Blues.
Speaking after the match, Arteta, for the first time, admitted Arsenal could go all the way and secure the Premier League title this season.
“We are today. But in football, today and tomorrow are very different. So let’s enjoy the time,” Arteta said [via Football.London], when asked if Arsenal are in contention for the Premier League title.
Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal are in the Premier League title race
Also Read: Arsenal Beat Chelsea 1-0 to Return to Premier League Summit
Arteta, however, also stressed they have to be respectful of Manchester City, who are the defending champions and one of the favourites to win the league title this season.
“Do something: just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done. With the best manager in the world, and the best team in the world. They have shown it consistently in every single competition. We have to be very very respectful of that,” said Arteta, when asked about Arsenal’s title chances.
Against Chelsea, Arsenal secured the victory courtesy of Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal in the second half. The Brazilian defender nodded home at the far post after Bukayo Saka’s wicked delivery from a corner had beat everyone at the near post.
The win helped Arsenal reclaim the top spot after Manchester City had briefly occupied the position following their 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday.
Arsenal now sits at the Premier League summit with 34 points from 13 matches. The Gunners have only dropped five points in the Premier League this season, with 11 wins, a draw, and a defeat.
Arsenal enjoys a two-point lead over Manchester City, who sit second in the points table with 32 points from 13 matches. Man City have dropped seven points so far in the league this season with 10 wins, two draws, and a defeat.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, who suffered their second consecutive league defeat, languishes at seventh in the points table. The Stamford Bridge outfit have 21 points from 13 matches in the English top flight so far in the 22/23 season.