Arteta Calls Chelsea Worth Competing In The Premier League Title Hunt

JAKARTA - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Chelsea deserve to be in the Premier League title race this season.

The Spaniard also praised The Blues as one of his favorite teams to watch.

Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, November 30, 2025, WIB evening, with the aim of widening the six-point lead over Enzo Maresca's side, who has surpassed expectations by sitting second after 12 games.

"I think we're all there. They're there because they're completely worthy of what they've been doing in recent years."

"I think the squad they formed, the number of players they had, the quality they had, the number of coaches they had, made sense that what was happening there was very, very positive. They deserved to be there," Arteta said as quoted by ESPN on Friday, November 28, 2025, local time.

After the last two teams met - 1-0 home win for Arsenal in March 2025 - Arteta described Chelsea as the team with the best attack in the league.

Arteta also agreed Chelsea would not be much different from last season's meeting, but with positive developments.

"Mereka (yang terbaik musim lalu), sampelnya musim ini masih awal jadi sulit untuk dikatakan. Namun, mereka adalah salah satu tim yang paling saya nikmati."

"They have a lot of fluidity, they have a lot of threats, they have a lot of individual talent, they are very clear what they want to do. That's why they are so tough," he said.

Meanwhile, Arteta confirmed that Leandro Trossard would undergo another test related to the calf problem he experienced when he won over Bayern Munich in the middle of the week.

Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are waiting for the results of a re-examination for hamstring problems and knees.

"Obviously, not yet, but they are getting closer. We are very positive with both and that's all," Arteta said of his players who had to be examined.

Gabriel Jesus played in a closed match against Watford which was held at Arsenal's training ground on Thursday, November 27, 2025, local time, with Ethan Nwaneri, who missed playing time.

Jesus has not played since undergoing knee surgery in January 2025. Although Arteta said the Brazilian was very close to returning, he did not want to rush.

"We see every day how he reacts to the changes in the burden he is experiencing. Then he needs to adjust to the team, understand things related to the time of the match that are very different from anything he tries to imitate in training. The gap is trying to be shortened as much as possible," said Arteta again.