Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal title race admission amid Manchester City and Liverpool point

Mikel Arteta has suggested that there is no clear favourite for the Premier League title this season, despite Arsenal currently trailing leaders Liverpool by ten points.

The Gunners' upcoming clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has taken on added significance following a disappointing run of form which has seen them pick up just one point from their last three games. Consecutive losses to Bournemouth and Newcastle have contributed to a concerning dip in form, leaving Arsenal outside the top four as they prepare to face Enzo Maresca's high-flying side.

A 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan completed a run of three losses in six games across all competitions. However, Arteta pointed out that rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa are also struggling, having lost their last four matches. "I don’t see teams (in the Premier League) that are that superior to their rivals," he said.

"There’s a team that has been consistent in terms of their results, that’s been Liverpool and you can see the numbers they’ve won. But the margins are much smaller. Winning is the best formula for everything; for energy, belief, confidence, for the noise inside and outside, to create momentum and positive surroundings. It helps for everything, even if you don’t deserve it."

This recent string of defeats has raised questions about Arsenal's ability to compete both domestically and in Europe, as they aim to end a 21-year wait for the title. The team failed to score in each of them, and the losses at San Siro and St James’ Park were notable for Arteta's reluctance to use Raheem Sterling as a substitute when Arsenal needed goals.

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The Chelsea loanee's time at the Emirates has seen minimal impact since his deadline day move, triggering concerns that the 29-year-old might be at a crossroads in his career. When questioned about his decision not to utilise Sterling against Newcastle and Inter, Arteta explained: "That’s a decision of mine, nothing to do with Raz. If somebody got it wrong it was me.

"It’s the feeling that you have, an understanding of how you can damage the opponent and picking a different player and profile for that moment."

Declan Rice is a doubt for the fixture with Chelsea following a toe injury sustained against Newcastle. Meanwhile, Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz face late fitness evaluations. Martin Odegaard on the other hand, could start at Stamford Bridge after making his comeback in Milan as a substitute, recovering from an ankle issue.

Arteta spoke about the strains of their schedule, saying: "We’ve been used to playing every three days, every two and a half days, it’s been extremely demanding. We have coped with that, with a lot injuries on top of that. We’re doing everything that we possibly can."

"We have better resources, we have players that are used to it and that have done it before. Now we have many players that can cope with that better, and if injuries respect us we are well equipped to manage that."