Arsenal's Premier League pictured changes as main rival ruled out of race

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Former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf has claimed that the Blues are ‘not ready’ to win the Premier League in a major boost to Arsenal . The Gunners are well positioned to end their two-decade wait for a domestic crown.

Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge leaves them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. Chelsea and Aston Villa are just one point further behind.

Despite the Blues’ position, Leboeuf claims that Chelsea are not quite ready to be champions yet. He said: “They (Arsenal) are still the big favourites but they will have to prove it. They lost four points against Sunderland and Chelsea,

“Manchester City are back, Chelsea are still there and we’ll have the winter period, which will start very soon, so let’s see. That period is always crucial and if you miss the curve, you can be on the final line in danger. But I think they should win the title.

“Chelsea is getting more mature but they are not ready to win the title. And we don’t know about Man City because they can still be inconsistent, so I think Arsenal are still the favourite, but I like the fact that we can still have a race and its not given up already after that game.

“Ten against 11, Arsenal should have got the three points and been seven ahead of the others but it’s nice for the Premier League.”

LeBoeuf’s view is similar to that of Jamie Carragher ’s. The Liverpool icon recently claimed that the only side that could stop Arsenal from finally winning the Premier League once more is themselves.

He said: “The only team that can stop Arsenal winning the league is Arsenal; they are the best team. They are the best squad. The only thing that can stop them is their own heads, their own mentality. Maybe this crowd getting nervous in March and April, if the league is still up for grabs by then.

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“This would be the one. If they didn't win it, I think we'd all point the finger at them and say, ‘You threw this away’. I don't think that's ever been the case before.

“I always think the case has been that there has been a team slightly better than them in the Premier League, but that is definitely not the case this season.”

Arsenal will be aiming to stretch their advantage this coming week. The Gunners welcome Brentford to the Emirates on Wednesday evening ahead of a clash with Aston Villa at the weekend.

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