Arsenal boss Wenger brands Chelsea 'direct rivals' despite 19-point gap
Arsene Wenger insists Chelsea are still “direct rivals” to Arsenal despite the London clubs sitting 13 places apart in the Premier League table.
The two sides meet at Emirates Stadium on Sunday with the Blues languishing just four points above the relegation zone in 14th place after a disastrous campaign to date.
By contrast, the Gunners are top of the table and strong favourites to heap further misery on the Blues with Mesut Ozil set to return to action after missing last Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Stoke with a toe injury.
Wenger will make a late call on Alexis Sanchez but regardless of his involvement, the Frenchman is expecting a difficult test against Guus Hiddink’s side.
“They are not in this title race but the quality of their team and I think this season there have been exceptional circumstances for them and they will be back and I consider them direct rivals,” he said.
“It is another game where people look at us and see how we behave because even if Chelsea are not in the best position you look at their squad. It is a big game because of the quality of players on the pitch and it has a big importance to us because we play at Emirates Stadium and we know it will be important to win these types of games.”
Wenger also dismissed Hiddink’s claim that relegation is a genuine possibility for Chelsea, adding: “I think he has gone a bit overboard there. I don’t think that [Chelsea will be relegated]. If you are looking purely at the mathematics, [then yes] but the team has too much potential.”
ArticleArsenal's Wenger brands Chelsea 'direct rivals' despite 19-point gapArsene WengerChelseaGuus HiddinkArsenalArsenal boss Wenger brands Chelsea 'direct rivals' despite 19-point gapPremier League title would be a just reward for Arsene Wenger running tight ship at ArsenalPublishedImageMedium width1Thursday, January 21, 2016 - 15:12Direct rivals: Wenger fears a backlash from Chelsea at Emirates StadiumOn