Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has warned Arsenal that the race for the Premier League title is far from over after Mikel Arteta's side moved eight points clear of their rivals. The Gunners have suffered only one defeat all campaign and are currently on course to lift their first league title in 19 years.
Pep Guardiola's side failed to secure successive victories on New Year's Eve with a 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Everton courtesy of a stunning strike from Demarai Gray. The Gunners capitalised on City's slip-up with a 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Arteta's men then failed to go 10 points clear on Tuesday with a goalless draw to Newcastle, opening the door for the Citizens to close the gap to five points this evening (Thursday) at Chelsea. Graham Potter's side have endured a difficult campaign so far, with the Blues finding themselves lurking in mid-table.
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Arsenal and City are yet to meet each other this season, with the first of the two scheduled contests to take place on Wednesday February 15. Prior to the game, the champions of England face a tough run of fixtures that includes trips to Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
Ahead of tonight's clash at Stamford Bridge, Walker has heaped praise on Arsenal for their impressive displays this season but has warned there remains plenty to play for in 2023.
Full credit to Arsenal, they have played some fantastic football this season so far," Walked told club media. "But as we all know, there is a lot of football to be played.
“We have only played 16 games, so we aren’t technically even halfway. There are still a lot of games to play and there are going to be a lot of twists and turns, I believe. Teams are playing each other and you need to take points off the teams around you. We start on Thursday with Chelsea.”
Last season, Guardiola's side suffered only three defeats all season as they pipped Liverpool to the title on the final day in dramatic fashion. However, despite having the prolific Erling Haaland in their ranks, they have already fallen to two defeats this term in 16 games.
Walker, who has missed most of the season due to injury, has admitted his side's defence of their title so far has been unacceptable. "It has been a bit of a tough half season [for me]. At the start of the season, I was doing ok but then took some niggles to my groin and I knew something wasn’t right," he added.
“We know the Brentford result at home before the World Cup was not acceptable. We shouldn’t lose that game. But the team has put in some good shifts. Against Liverpool [in the Carabao Cup], I thought it was an excellent performance and away at Elland Road [against Leeds] which is a tough place to go.
“The goal we conceded at the weekend [against Everton] is a wondergoal. They had one shot on target and score. It is football and these things happen. It is an important end to the season and we need to start putting a run together which we know that we can do.
“I have more than enough faith to know that this group of players will want to achieve everything that they can achieve."
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