Antonio Conte: 'Arsenal are genuine title rivals'

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has insisted that Arsenal are genuine contenders for the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners began the campaign in disappointing fashion with two defeats from their opening three matches - including a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool - but they have since bounced back with consecutive wins over Bournemouth and Koln, the latter of which came in the Europa League.

Arsene Wenger's side will travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday looking for their first victory at the stadium since October 2011, and Conte is expecting a difficult test against his London rivals.

"For sure Arsenal is a big rival for the title. If you see their squad you can understand there are a lot of top players. I don't understand why they can't fight for the title. They lost only one player now, [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain. They kept all the players from last season. In their squad there are many top players," he told reporters.

"I think Arsenal is one of the six top teams in England. For this reason I think it's a massive game for us. It's the same when you play against [Manchester] City, against Liverpool, [Manchester] United, Tottenham. In England there are six top teams and when you play against one of them it's always a massive game. We have to fight.

"The best target is to try to make the best decision for every game and try also to win. The answer of all my players in the last game was positive. I'm pleased for the commitment, for the performance of my players. I have another day to check the physical condition of all my players. Then I'll try to make the best decision for the Arsenal game."

Arsenal have won just two of their last 21 games against sides who also finished in the top six last season.