Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted the Gunners are contenders for the Premier League title, at least for the time being, 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 match on Sunday. The visitors got the best of the hosts, securing a 1-0 victory over the Blues.
Speaking after the match, Arteta, for the first time, admitted that 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 running for the Premier League title
Arteta, however, also stressed that they must be respectful of Manchester City, who are the defending champions and one of the favorites to win the league title this season.
“Do something: just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done. With the best coach in the world, and the best team in the world. They have shown it consistently in every competition. We have to be very, very respectful of that,” Arteta said, when asked about Arsenal’s title chances.
Against Chelsea, Arsenal secured victory thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes’ second-half goal. The Brazilian defender headed to the far post after a lousy corner kick from Bukayo Saka beat everyone to the near post.
The win helped Arsenal reclaim top spot after Manchester City briefly held the position following their 2-1 win over Fulham on Saturday.
Arsenal now sit top of the Premier League with 34 points from 13 games. The Gunners have only lost five points in the Premier League this season, with 11 wins, one draw and one loss.
Arsenal enjoy a two-point lead over Manchester City, who sit second in the points table with 32 points from 13 games. Man City have dropped seven points so far in the league this season with 10 wins, two draws and one loss.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, who suffered their second successive league defeat, languish in seventh place in the points table. The Stamford Bridge team has 21 points in 13 games in the English top flight so far in the 22/23 season.
