Former Chelsea star says Arsenal need to achieve something before getting too ahead of themselves

Former Chelsea and England winger Joe Cole believes his former club have been “on a different level” to Arsenal for years and says Mikel Arteta’s side need to actually achieve something before getting too carried away.

The Gunners ran out 1-0 winners at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to return to the top of the Premier League table, two points ahead of defending champions Manchester City.

Gabriel grabbed the only goal of the game mid-way through the second-half to make it 11 wins from 13 league games for Arteta’s young side this term. The result also means that Arsenal have now beaten three of the traditional big six already this season and look on course to be genuine title contenders.

Alamy

Meanwhile, a second successive defeat for Graham Potter’s Chelsea means they slip to seventh, level on points with Potter’s former team Brighton.

Speaking prior to the game between the London rivals, Cole praised the job Arteta has done since taking over from new Aston Villa boss Unai Emery in December of 2019, but warned the Gunners against patting themselves on the back before any silverware has been delivered.

"We have to be mindful of Arsenal because nothing's paid off as of yet," said Cole. "Nothing's been achieved yet as of yet, but they're on the right path."

Alamy

The BT Sport pundit, who clocked up more than 180 appearances during a seven year spell as a player at Chelsea, went on to say that his former team should not be written off, and that their success since the turn of the century should not be forgotten in a hurry.

He said: "Chelsea have been on a different level over the last 20 years, we have to say that as well.

"Chelsea are the most successful team in the country over the last 20 years. I feel that they can more than compete and will go above Arsenal very soon."

Next up for Arsenal is a visit on Wednesday from an in-from Brighton team in the Third Round of the EFL Cup, before returning to league action for the last time before the World Cup break with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Chelsea, meanwhile, travel to Manchester City in their midweek EFL Cup clash and take on third placed Newcastle United at St James’ Park this weekend hoping to get back to winning ways before the Premier League halts for over a month.