Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes second-placed Chelsea “fully deserve” to be regarded Premier League title challengers as he prepares his team for Sunday’s encounter at Stamford Bridge.
After 12 games of the season, Arteta’s men are six points ahead of the Blues in second position.
They are in a good mood after a 4-1 victory over archrivals Tottenham, followed by a 3-1 Champions League defeat of German powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Chelsea’s tails are also up after three consecutive league victories, including a 3-0 success over Barcelona on Tuesday.
Despite their excellent form, Enzo Maresca’s young Chelsea team is still regarded an outsider to win the Premier League title.
However, Arteta does not underestimate his opponents, who won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup last season.
“I think we are all there and they (Chelsea) are there because they fully deserve to be,” he told reporters on Friday.
“What they have done in the last few years, I think the squad that they assembled, the numbers that they have, the quality that they have, the number of coaches they have, it makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive, and they deserve to be there.”
The former Arsenal and Spain midfielder stated that Chelsea was one of the teams he most enjoyed watching.
“They have a lot of fluidity, they have a lot of threat, they have a lot of individual talent, they are very clear about what they want to do, and that’s why they are very tough,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s a big game; it’s a big London derby. We’re going to play a really, really good opponent. They are in really good form, and we know the challenge. We know the opportunity that we have as well on Sunday, so we are fully ready for it.”
