Arteta Praises Chelsea as Title Contenders Ahead of Stamford Bridge Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that Chelsea deserve to be in the title race as both teams prepare for their upcoming match at Stamford Bridge on February 4, 2024. With Arsenal currently holding a six-point lead over Chelsea, who sit in second place after 12 matches, Arteta expressed admiration for the London rivals.

During a press conference on Friday, Arteta addressed Chelsea’s recent performances and their potential as title challengers. “I think we are all there, and they are there because they fully deserve what they have done in the last few years,” he stated. He highlighted Chelsea’s impressive squad, which includes talented players and experienced coaching staff, stating, “It makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive, and they deserve to be there.”

In their last encounter, Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory at home against Chelsea in March. Arteta described Chelsea as “the best attacking team in the league by a mile” after that match. When asked if he still holds that view, he noted that while Chelsea had been exceptional last season, it’s still early in the current campaign to make definitive comparisons.

Arteta elaborated on Chelsea’s strengths, saying, “They have a lot of fluidity, they have a lot of threat, they have a lot of individual talent, and they are very clear what they want to do.” These attributes contribute to Chelsea’s reputation as a challenging opponent.

In terms of team news, Arteta confirmed that Arsenal is monitoring the fitness of players who are recovering from injuries. He mentioned that one player would undergo “another test” regarding a calf issue sustained during the midweek win against Watford. The manager expressed optimism about the results of scans for two other players dealing with hamstring and knee problems, stating, “We are very positive with both of them.”

In addition, Arsenal played a behind-closed-doors match against Watford on Thursday, providing opportunities for players like Gabriel Jesus, who has been working to regain match fitness following knee surgery in January. Arteta remarked that Jesus is “very close” to making a return to competitive action. “We see every single day how he’s reacting to the change that he had in load,” he said, emphasizing the importance of integrating players back into the squad.

As Arsenal aims to maintain their lead in the Premier League, the match against Chelsea promises to be a significant test for both teams. With Arteta’s respect for Chelsea’s abilities and the ongoing recovery of key players, the upcoming clash at Stamford Bridge is set to be a compelling encounter in the title race.