Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Chelsea's title to lose, says Arsenal's Wenger

Chelsea lie six points clear of the field, nine ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal, and will strengthen their position further if they extend their club record winning streak to 13 by beating Stoke City on Saturday.

Arsenal's Mustafi fit to return against Palace
(Reuters)

"At the moment Chelsea are the super-favourites (for the title)," Wenger told a news conference on Friday. "But it is theirs to lose as we say here in England.

"At the moment they have won it but they can still lose it. It's still a long way to go and so the head-to-head (matches) will have a vital importance."

If Chelsea win their next three matches against Stoke, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City they will surpass the record of consecutive top-flight wins set by Wenger's team stretching across the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

"If they do it, it's absolutely marvellous because nobody expected that," Wenger said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"At the start of the season, they had a little bit of a dodgy start, but after, since they've changed their system, they are on a run where the confidence plays a big part."

Records are there to be beaten and if somebody does better than you, you have to acknowledge it and say 'well done'."

Wenger's side were the last to beat Chelsea in the league, thrashing them 3-0 in September, a humbling reverse that prompted Conte to change his formation. They have not looked back since.

"They have addressed their problems well. You have to give credit to Conte to find a solution that has balanced well his team," Wenger said.

"They bought David Luiz who stabilised their defensive record and I think overall they are the team that has been the most consistent until now."

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has recovered from a hamstring injury for the London derby against Crystal Palace but winger Theo Walcott and left back Kieran Gibbs will miss Sunday's Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

Gibbs injured his knee in Monday's win over West Bromwich Albion and Walcott remains sidelined with a calf problem.

Wenger provided a positive update on striker Danny Welbeck's return to fitness following a long-term injury.

"Welbeck is fit and sharp. He is in training and he looks quite good," Wenger said.

(Reporting by Ian Chadband and Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world