Mikel Arteta finally admitted Arsenal are in the title race after a statement victory at Stamford Bridge.
Gunners defender Gabriel scored the second-half winner as Arsenal reclaimed top spot in the Premier League from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Arteta, who was taking charge of his 150th game, has been reluctant to talk up Arsenal’s chances but admitted they are in the hunt - at least for the moment.
When asked if his side are in the title race, the Arsenal boss said: “We are today. But in football, today and tomorrow is a very different. So let’s enjoy this time. But do something: just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done. 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 marathon.
“We were under pressure because we lost the top spot. I’m really happy because they’ve done that step. It was a big win for us. It’s another step for us I think.
“To come here against a top opponent, top, world-class players all over the pitch, dominate the game and actually win, it is very meaningful. Hopefully it will give the boys even more belief. I was really impressed.
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"We are a young team, but we showed a lot maturity today, a lot of composure, a lot courage to play on this stage the way we have played. That’s easy to say but actually very difficult to do. I think the boys were absolutely phenomenal today.”
Arsenal match-winner Gabriel also took a dig at Chelsea ’s former Gunners hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who took part in a BT Sport advert ahead of the match in which he said: “Nothing personal… London in Blue.”
Gabriel tweeted after the game: “Nothing Personal… London is Red.” Aubameyang was substituted shortly after the hour mark after only having eight touches in the game.
