'BLUES ARE WORTHY EPL TITLE RIVALS'

Arsenal boss Arteta says 2nd-placed Chelsea deserve to be taken seriously

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Buoyant English Premier League leaders Arsenal will head to Stamford Bridge on Nov 30 to take on second-placed Chelsea, showing clear signs they are finally equipped to end their two-decade title drought.

It is still early in the season - with just 12 matches played - but the Gunners are six points clear of the Blues and will aim to make it nine with a victory.

Top of the Premier League and in pole position in the Champions League — Mikel Arteta’s men are proving that this season could be special.

Analysts Opta give the Gunners a 76.2 per cent chance of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004, when Arsene Wenger was manager.

Arteta stayed grounded after the impressive 3-1 win over German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Nov 26, immediately switching his focus to the match at Chelsea.

On Nov 28, he warned against complacency, insisting that the Blues are more than worthy of being title contenders.

“I think they fully deserve where they are and the squad they assemble in (the) last few years. The manager and coaching staff that they have, they deserve to be there,” he said.