Chelsea will be looking to extend their winning run to five matches in all competitions (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea will be looking to extend their winning run to five matches in all competitions (Picture: Getty)

Antonio Conte sees no reason why Arsenal cannot compete for the Premier League title this season, despite their indifferent start.

The Gunners began their campaign with a 4-3 win over Leicester before losing back-to-back games away from home against Stoke and Liverpool.

Arsene Wenger’s side steadied the ship with a routine 3-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend but face a huge test of their credentials on Sunday against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a venue at which they haven’t won since 2011.

After losing the opening fixture of their title defence, Chelsea have embarked on a four-game winning run in all competitions but Conte knows his side will face a big test if they hope to extend that run this weekend.

Alexandre Lacazette has made an impressive start to his Arsenal career (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since a Robin van Persie hat-trick helped secure a 5-3 victory back in 2011 (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since a Robin van Persie hat-trick helped secure a 5-3 victory back in 2011 (Picture: Getty)

‘They are a big rival, if you see their squad they have a lot of top players, said Conte.

‘I don’t understand why they can’t fight for the title, they lost only one player but kept all the rest. They have many top players

‘Arsenal is one of the six top teams in England and I think they have a really good squad to fight for something important. The title, for sure.

‘This is a massive game when you play against Arsenal. The same against City, United, Liverpool, Spurs.

‘There are six top teams and when you play it is a massive game. We have to fight and play against a rival.’

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