Chelsea 'maturing' but 'it's got to be Arsenal's title' - Round

Commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Sunday's 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Arsenal: "It's not [a bad result for Arsenal].

"Given the way it's gone for Arsenal over the past few seasons, their most pessimistic of fans would talk about the way their title challenge has fallen away at times, there could be a tendency to see it that way [as a bad result].

"I actually think that with both first-choice centre-backs missing, up against a Chelsea team which I don't think is getting enough credit for the way they're playing this season - and off the back of the week Arsenal have had, beating Bayern Munich and Spurs - I think that's a pretty decent result and a point gained."

Asked whether Chelsea are genuine contenders in the Premier League title race, former Arsenal assistant boss Steve Round said: "Yes I do. They're maturing as a team, they've got a lot of young players and they're fairly newly formed - they haven't got a weight of experience behind them of Manchester City, Liverpool or Arsenal - but they're emerging.

"They're exciting and they've got some incredibly good attacking players. The manager is learning on the job, getting better and more understanding of the league.

"This season they could push. Do I think they can win it? Probably not - it might be just a touch too far.

"I still think it's going to be between Arsenal and Manchester City - and I think this year, it's got to be Arsenal's title. They look like they're the best team in the league so far."