Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that he believed Chelsea would be among the “contenders” for the Premier League title this season. The two teams are set to clash at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, with Arsenal currently in second place and Chelsea trailing six points behind in fourth. However, both clubs face the challenge of catching league leaders Liverpool, who are 15 points ahead with one more game played. It seems more realistic for Arsenal and Chelsea to focus on securing a spot in next season’s Champions League, with fifth place likely to be enough. Additionally, Arsenal is set to compete against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament this season. Arteta conveyed that he expected more from Chelsea under Enzo Maresca this season, stating, “From the moment I watched them play in pre-season and understood how Enzo operates alongside the talent in the squad, they were contenders from the start to even win it.” Once they align everything and establish a strong connection, energy, and consistency, I believe they will be able to compete against any team. In December, Chelsea seemed to be strong contenders for the title, having closed the gap to Liverpool to just two points after winning five consecutive matches. However, since then, they have only secured four wins out of 12 games, revealing several vulnerabilities, especially in their defense. This has led to criticism from their fans regarding Chelsea’s playing style and ongoing issues. In contrast, Arteta has expressed support for Maresca, the former Leicester manager, stating, “He’s an excellent coach. He has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and how to implement it.” I’m a big fan of the style in which his team competes.
