Mikel Arteta admitted for the first time that Arsenal are in the title contention after they regained top spot with victory at Chelsea.

Manager Arteta has been cautious about Arsenal’s championship chances until now but began to embrace the prospect following their rousing London derby win at Chelsea.

Arteta said: ‘We are [in contention] today. But in football, today and tomorrow is a very different. So let’s enjoy tonight.’

Mikel Arteta has for the first time admitted Arsenal are Premier League title contenders

Arsenal responded to Manchester City’s last-gasp win against Fulham on Saturday like champions, producing a dominant performance to win at the home of one of their top six rivals thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes' second half winner.

Arteta said: ‘What is a fantastic achievement is to see the team taking another step. We were under pressure because we lost the top spot.

‘We prepared the game to come here and win but understanding that winning here is a different story. I’m really happy because they’ve done that step.’

But he was keen to reiterate the challenge posed by Pep Guardiola’s City.

‘Do something: just look at the last six years, what Manchester City have done,’ he said.

‘With the best manager in the world, the best team in the world. They have shown it consistently in every single competition.

‘We have to be very, very respectful of that. We are getting much better as a team and competing much better. We are getting really good results right now, but this is a long long… [marathon].’

Injury-hit Chelsea were totally outclassed and are now 13 points behind Arsenal.

Sunday was Arteta’s 150th game in charge of the Gunners and Graham Potter said: ‘We are not in a fantastic moment as we speak. As much as it is not nice to say, Arsenal deserved to win the game.

‘I’ve been here eight weeks and a lot has happened. I’m sure if you look at the Arsenal story, where they are now as to where they were two years ago, one year ago it’s slightly different and I’m sure at times Mikel got pelters and that’s how it is.

‘We’re at the start of our process. You’ve got to say Arsenal are ahead with where they’ve been working and how long they’ve been working together. They’ve got more points, they’ve got a confidence, a good structure.’

Arteta also defended Bukayo Saka after Potter accused him of diving in the first half, though insisted afterwards ‘I don’t think he is that type of player.’

Arteta added: ‘Bukayo, he does not dive.’