Now Arteta admits: We have a shot

MIKEL ARTETA admitted for the first time that Arsenal are in title contention after they regained top spot with victory at Chelsea. Manager Arteta has been cautious about Arsenal’s Premier League chances until now, but began to embrace the prospect following their rousing derby win at Chelsea. Arteta said: ‘We are in contention today. But in football, today and tomorrow is very different. So let’s enjoy tonight.’ Arsenal responded to Manchester City’s last-gasp win against Fulham on Saturday like champions, producing a dominant performance to win at the home of one of their top-six rivals thanks to Gabriel’s second-half winner.

Arteta said: ‘What is a fantastic achievement is to see the team taking another step. We were under pressure because we lost top spot.

‘We prepared p p the game g to come here and win but understanding that winning here is a different story. I’m really happy because they have done that step.’

Arteta was still keen to reiterate the huge challenge posed by

Pep Guardiola’s side. ‘Do something — just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done,’ he said.

‘With the best manager in the world, the best team in the world, they have shown it consistently in every single competition.

‘We have to be very, very respectful of that. We are getting much better as a team and competing much better. We are getting really good results right now, but this is a long, long race.’ Injury-hit Chelsea were outclassed and are now 13 points behind Arsenal and in seventh place. Yesterday was Arteta’s 150th game in charge of o

Arsenal and Chelsea boss Graham Potter said: ‘We are not in a fantastic moment as we speak. As much as it is not nice to say, Arsenal deserved to win the game.

‘I’ve been here eight weeks and a lot has happened. I’m sure if you look at the Arsenal story, where they are now as to where they were two years ago or one year ago, it is slightly different and I’m sure at times Mikel got pelters and that’s how it is.

‘We are at the start of our process. You have got to say Arsenal are ahead with where they have been working and how long they have been working together. They have got more points, they have got a confidence and a good structure.’ Arteta also defended Bukayo Saka after Potter accused him of diving in the first half, despite insisting afterwards: ‘I don’t think he is that type of player.’ Arteta added: ‘Bukayo, he does not dive.’