Mikel Arteta has insisted Chelsea are genuine title contenders ahead of Arsenal's visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while opposite number Enzo Maresca continues to play down his side's credentials. The Gunners sit six points clear of the Blues in the Premier League table, and a win would open up a nine-point gap.
Arteta, whose side last won the league in 2003/04, warned against underestimating Chelsea, who have won their last three league matches without conceding and recently thrashed Barcelona 3-0. 'They are there because they fully deserve to be,' he said. 'One of the teams I enjoy watching most – they have a lot of fluidity, threat and individual talent.'
Maresca, however, dismissed title talk as premature. 'I think it's too early in any case. If we win, if we don't win, it's too early,' he said. 'We are still at the end of November. It's important to be where we are now in March, April, and then we'll see.'
The Italian also noted differences from last season, when Chelsea faded to finish fourth. 'We spent one more year together and learned from that moment,' he added. 'But for me it's very early.'
