Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his surprise that Chelsea haven’t been more competitive in the Premier League title race this season.
Ahead of their meeting at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Arteta acknowledged that the Blues have the talent and potential to be contenders.
“From the moment I watched them play in pre-season, understanding how Enzo works and the talent they have in the squad, they were contenders to even win it from the beginning,” Arteta told BBC Sport.
Despite Chelsea’s current position; six points behind Arsenal, Arteta believes they have the potential to compete with any team.
💬 "There’s a lot of individual quality on that pitch so it's about imposing what you want and the direction that you want to take the game."
Mikel on Sunday's match up in N5 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 14, 2025
“They have so much there. The moment that everything lies together and they find that connection, energy, and consistency, I think they can compete with any team.”
Both sides have underperformed this season, relative to expectations, but Maresca will consider a top-four finish at the end of the season as a success.
