LONDON - Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes the Gunners have demonstrated they should be taken seriously in this season's Premier League title race.
The weekend victory at Cardiff City maintained Arsenal's four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and they will attempt to consolidate their position when Hull City visit the Emirates Stadium today.
Despite Arsene Wenger's side dominating the opening third of the season, the title claims of their main rivals, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, have continued to attract support.
Arsenal have frequently been bystanders in the battle for the championship since they last lifted the Premier League trophy in 2004. That has prompted many observers to be wary of the staying power of Wenger's men.
Arteta believes they made a powerful case when they returned from a testing trip to Cardiff - a place were United and City have dropped points this season - with a victory.
"Considering they beat Man City here and they drew against Man United, just shows you what a tough place this is," the Spaniard said.
"For us it's a big statement to come here and get the points, to score three goals away from home is very important. We got another clean sheet as well so we're full of confidence."
Aaron Ramsey again stood out, this time against his former club and Arteta believes the display confirms just how far the Wales midfielder has come this year.
Hull manager Steve Bruce believes his team are halfway to securing safety in the Premier League. City have five wins to their name and Bruce believes another five will be enough to avoid an instant return to the Championship, from where they were promoted last season.
"If we can get another five wins, 10 or 11 wins is usually enough in my opinion," he said. "We've won five and find ourselves in the top half of the table."
Hull have acquitted themselves well against the Premier League's established clubs, most notably in beating Liverpool at the KC Stadium on Sunday, and Bruce said he felt his players were growing in confidence.
Other fixtures today: Liverpool vs Norwich, Man Utd vs Everton, Southampton vs Aston Villa, Stoke vs Cardiff, Sunderland vs Chelsea, Swansea vs Newcastle, Fulham vs Spurs and West Brom vs Man City.
Making a case for Gunners' title hopes
LONDON - Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta believes the Gunners have demonstrated they should be taken seriously in this season's Premier League title race.
The weekend victory at Cardiff City maintained Arsenal's four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and they will attempt to consolidate their position when Hull City visit the Emirates Stadium today.
Despite Arsene Wenger's side dominating the opening third of the season, the title claims of their main rivals, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, have continued to attract support.
Arsenal have frequently been bystanders in the battle for the championship since they last lifted the Premier League trophy in 2004. That has prompted many observers to be wary of the staying power of Wenger's men.
Arteta believes they made a powerful case when they returned from a testing trip to Cardiff - a place were United and City have dropped points this season - with a victory.
"Considering they beat Man City here and they drew against Man United, just shows you what a tough place this is," the Spaniard said.
"For us it's a big statement to come here and get the points, to score three goals away from home is very important. We got another clean sheet as well so we're full of confidence."
Aaron Ramsey again stood out, this time against his former club and Arteta believes the display confirms just how far the Wales midfielder has come this year.
Hull manager Steve Bruce believes his team are halfway to securing safety in the Premier League. City have five wins to their name and Bruce believes another five will be enough to avoid an instant return to the Championship, from where they were promoted last season.
"If we can get another five wins, 10 or 11 wins is usually enough in my opinion," he said. "We've won five and find ourselves in the top half of the table."
Hull have acquitted themselves well against the Premier League's established clubs, most notably in beating Liverpool at the KC Stadium on Sunday, and Bruce said he felt his players were growing in confidence.
Other fixtures today: Liverpool vs Norwich, Man Utd vs Everton, Southampton vs Aston Villa, Stoke vs Cardiff, Sunderland vs Chelsea, Swansea vs Newcastle, Fulham vs Spurs and West Brom vs Man City.
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