Chelsea captain John Terry has warned the Blues that it would be a big mistake to rule Arsenal out of the race for the Premier League title.
Chelsea are nine points clear of their London rivals after a 3-0 victory at West Brom.
Arsene Wenger's side lost at home to Aston Villa on Saturday but Terry insists they remain a title threat along with Liverpool and Manchester United.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday week and go to the Emirates Stadium in May, and Terry says Chelsea will have to win both games to stay ahead of the Gunners.
"I still consider Arsenal a contender, you should never write off the big sides," said Terry. "They have the players to do it and they will put a run together.
"We still have to play them at home and away and anything can happen. We have to make sure we pick up the six points against them in those two games.
"It is really close at the top at moment. Liverpool are playing well. I watched them before we played West Brom and Manchester United had a good result against Stoke.
"The main thing for us is to keep winning and try and frustrate the teams below us. We have experienced that in chasing Manchester United the last couple of years. It does get to you.
"They had the advantage of a better goal difference on us before but we have it now. If we can keep scoring and not conceding it's like another three points."
Rejuvenated striker Nicolas Anelka scored twice against Albion to take his tally for the season to 13, but defender Jose Bosingwa began the rout with a stunning long-range effort.
The right-back, who joined the club in a £16.2million move from Porto in the summer, has been hailed as a top addition to the squad by Terry.
"He is one of the best signings of the year," he added. "He gives us a lot going forward and can defend.
"He has a great left and right foot and he shows that in training. He scores goals and is so quick people find it hard to get by him."


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Your Comments
wabegimbler (Chelsea fan)
"Terry's right. the Prem will have a CALM finish this season:
C = Chelsea,
A = Arsenal,
L = Liverpool,
M = Manchester United
In that order."
oluwaseun (Chelsea fan)
"well jt his right i think he sense what's about to happen in the future but chelsea still has the cup"
Oo2b_a_gooner (Arsenal fan)
"Also, im sorry but this just irritates me. Idiots who make stupid comments like...'we should of played the kids'. Ok. If we played the kids against Villa on saturday, we would of got spanked by a larger margin you morons! The reason the 'kids' supposedly seem to be looking much better and more fluent on the ball when playing other teams (we have only played Wigan this season anywhere, so dont know where all of a sudden this misconception that these kids are world beaters has come from), is because other teams set up shop differently when playing the kids as opposed to the first team. The kids other teams ACTUALLY try and play football against, i guess they feel that there's no need to play physcially, as they are only kids, so, like occurred, Wigan and Sheffield united tried to play a technically footballing match. Subsequently, all that was established is that technically, our youngsters are extremely good, and therefore won both these games with ease. The difference is, very few teams take this approach with our first team. They use more defensive pyhsical tactics, and hence our problems to break them down (think about it!! Man United actually tried to play against us, and im not saying we are supirorly better than them technically, but if they had played a negative physical game, would surely have taken the 3points). This is the same reason why (although only a small appearance) Vela didint look nearly as comfortable in the first team than against Wigan. THEY'RE PLAYING A DIFFERENT GAME!!! Plus, teams also play a different game in cup competition than the league. Wigan came for the win, if it had been a league game, they probably would of played for a draw. I know we have problems at the moment with our first team, but some people should think before they make stupid comments (my apologies, t'was a Bristol City fan...says it all!)"
Oo2b_a_gooner (Arsenal fan)
"Terry's spot on. (along with zendenling's response), but i do sense a slight sense of not wanting to kick us when we're down syndrome....pitty to be totally honest. Carrick was the same last year after we got beaten (undeservedly) at Old Trafford. Maybe the other top four teams are starting to see us of less of a threat, so can afford to take a stance of defending us, rather than is we were TRULY competing with us, abnd making negative comments about us. Terry is correct, we are still title contenders, because, mathematically, we can still easily do it, and have proved we can play and defeat any of the big four. realistically I think he like everyone else knows that we are not good enough to seriously challenge due to our lack of consistency, which is key to any serious title challenge obviosuly. Reminds me of Henry's last season, we had the best record against/between all of the top four, but lost the games we should of won, highlighting that the qulaity was there, we just lacked, ironically, all the attributes Wenger credits us for when we win; spirit, character, fight etc. I dont think that we will lose 4th place as we are still a large gulf in quality apart from the rest of the league; this is what i think Terry is alluding to with his comment. Which i agree with. I hate to pull names out the air, like some naive fan who pressumes that he has recognised a player we should bring in ahead of our extensive scouting network and Wenger's intelligence, but Senna would have been perfect to fill Flam's void. His age obivously inhibited Arsene from even thinking about signing him, but cant help but think his relationship with Fabregas could have blossomed for our benefit. I personally think we dont bring in players, not soley down to our youth policy, but the we actually dont have any money, depsite what the board say."
Mak (Arsenal fan)
"JT, are you winding us up, we are well truly OUT of of the race,well we were out of it when Hull came and gave us a right slapping,but not if you are Arsene Wenger,he's probably still thinks Arsenal are still in it and he thinks his team are great..well they are but as soon as things get tough, his team get going ....to the nearest W.C..biggest bunch of muppets that ever played for The Arsenal"
ballbag (Bristol City fan)
"dont fink so jt...arsenal are far to inconsistant and they have no physical players, defense looks shocking they would be lucky to get champoins league in my opinion, but if they spend wisely in the tranfer window then who knows. could be better off playing their youngsters lol "
Herts14 (Arsenal fan)
"hmmmm....i dunno bout that john....."
zendenling (Chelsea fan)
"I agreed with Terry statement. Why not? Arsenal might not have consistency but they proved everyone wrong by winning against Man Utd with bunch of youngsters. If they can beat one of the big four, I see no reason why they are not a threat to us. "
mycarImissu (Charlton Athletic fan)
"Think again Terry"
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