Chelsea
head coach Antonio Conte expects Arsenal to be in contention for the Premier
League title this season.
Arsenal finished 18 points behind Chelsea last season as Conte led the Blues
to the league title in his first season at the club but, Arsene Wenger's
side came out on top in the FA Cup final to deny him a domestic double.
A fifth-placed league finish led to pressure on Wenger, with the Frenchman
coming in for criticism from some supporters again following a 4-0 defeat to
Liverpool a fortnight ago.
Conte, however, believes Arsenal will be challenging for the title this year
and that his team face a difficult challenge when the sides meet on Super
Sunday.
"Arsenal are a big rival for the title," he said. "If you see their squad
you can understand that - they have a lot of top players.
"I don't understand why they can't fight for the title. They have lost only
one player, [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain, and they have kept all of their
players. They have many top players."
He added: "I think Arsenal is one of the six top teams in England they will
they have a really good squad to fight for something important, the title
for sure.
"That's the reason why I think this is a massive game for us. When you play
against Arsenal it is always a massive game.
"It's the same when you play against (Manchester) City, Liverpool,
(Manchester) United or Tottenham, there are six top teams in England.
"Anything can happen and for this reason we must pay great attention. We
must fight."
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