
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca predicted that the “four, five, six teams” at the Premier League summit must all be considered title contenders.
Arsenal had opened up a six-point lead at the division’s summit before travelling to Stamford Bridge at the end of November. A hard-fought 1–1 draw pegged the Gunners back while threatening to propel Chelsea into the title race. Both London clubs have since dropped points, with Arsenal suffering a dramatic 2–1 loss to Aston Villa hours before the Blues were held to a goalless stalemate by Bournemouth.