Arsene Wenger has predicted former side Arsenal to be amongst the challengers for the Premier League title this season, whilst also aiming a dig at rivals Tottenham. It comes after the two clubs clashed in the North London Derby, producing an intense affair at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's men came out on top though, inflicting a first defeat of the Premier League season on their rivals and remaining top for yet another week. "It’s great," the Spaniard said about his team sitting in first. "Looking at the table and seeing the club in this position is great.
"It gives you a great feeling obviously. But we are focused. It’s a really hungry and humble team believe me. It’s nothing that we have done yet and there are still a lot of things to improve. That’s the direction we’re taking."
READ MORE: Erling Haaland sets Arsenal star William Saliba challenge as Man City steamroll Man Utd
While they remain top of the league, Arteta refused to be drawn on any talk of a title challenge, claiming it was up to the media to speculate when they are contenders. If they are to do just that though, they'll have to continue their run of form that has seen them leapfrog champions Manchester City.
With plenty of speculation over a title challenge, former boss Wenger has made a prediction on BeIN Sports about those who are involved this season. "Personally I would put them [Arsenal] just behind [Manchester] City. The second best team to have a good chance to win the [league] because Man City at some stage will focus highly on the Champions League.
"We don't know about Liverpool, but they're already 11 points behind and 10 points behind Man City is a mountain to climb. Chelsea doesn't look as well consistent at the moment, they have not found the confidence to be potentially winning the league so.
"Tottenham anyway, by my DNA, I cannot believe they will win," Wenger concluded with a smile. It remains to be seen how the season will finish and whether the Gunners can continue setting the pace at the top of the league.
However, their win over Tottenham has gone a long way to extending their run and the confidence that they can be up there by the end of the campaign.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal's next six Premier League fixtures compared to Chelsea, Tottenham, Man Utd and Man City
Mikel Arteta's message to Arsenal players as superb Saliba has fans dreaming of title charge
Smith Rowe, Partey, Odegaard - Arsenal injury news and return dates after Tottenham clash
Arsenal handed huge Gabriel Jesus boost ahead of Liverpool clash as Gunners eye title push
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
