Mikel Arteta believes Chelsea’s current form and squad quality warrant their inclusion in the Premier League title race, despite manager Enzo Maresca’s cautious approach.
According to a report from Metro.co.uk, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta publicly disagreed with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s assessment of his side’s status in the Premier League title race ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash.
The Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge holding a six-point lead over their London rivals, who currently sit second. Despite Maresca previously stressing that his side had ‘no business being in a Premier League title race,’ Arteta insisted that the Blues’ position is fully warranted.
“I think we are all there, and they are there because they fully deserve what they have done in the last few years,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
He went on to praise the quality of the squad assembled at Stamford Bridge:
“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.”
Arteta also dismissed the suggestion that the result of the derby would have any immediate title implications, countering any decisive claims by stating, “I think it’s too early in any case.”