Mikel Arteta endorses Chelsea as title contenders in Premier League

Nothing says “I respect you” in football quite like a manager publicly anointing a rival as a genuine threat. Mikel Arteta did exactly that on September 5, naming Chelsea as legitimate Premier League title contenders heading into the 2026-27 season. The endorsement carries weight. Arteta isn’t some pundit filling airtime. He’s the man who just guided Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years, ending one of the most talked-about droughts in English football history. The case Arteta is making Speaking ahead of a London derby clash scheduled for September 7, Arteta pointed to several factors that make Chelsea dangerous this season. The quality of the squad, the club’s historic pedigree, the tactical acumen of new head coach Xabi Alonso, and one factor that often gets underestimated: no European football. Chelsea finished 10th last season, which by the standards of Stamford Bridge is roughly equivalent to a natural disaster. The club parted ways with Enzo Maresca and brought in Alonso, who arrives with a growing reputation as one of European football’s sharpest young managers. And the early returns have been electric, if slightly chaotic. Chelsea have scored 9 goals in their firs...