Arsenal are gunning for title shot, says Vermaelen
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Your support makes all the difference.The Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen claims the Gunners have sent a clear message to their rivals that they are in the title race this season.
Arsène Wenger's men are now the closest challengers to Premier League leaders Chelsea, five points behind but with a game in hand, following their 4-1 win at Wolverhampton and Manchester United's defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. When domestic action resumes following the international break, all eyes will turn to their showdown with the Blues at the Emirates on 29 November.
Arsenal have recovered strongly from successive defeats by both Manchester clubs, embarking upon an unbeaten run of 13 matches in all competitions and now having scored 36 goals in 11 league games.
Vermaelen believes Wenger's young side have laid down a marker. "If we look at the table, we are second and it is a message to other teams that we are involved in the race to be champions," Vermaelen said. "It is good that we have had a good series of games, it is important to continue and stay focused on every game because there are a lot of important games."
Wenger's side certainly appear to be better equipped to mount a sustained assault on the title this year, having finished fourth and some 18 points behind champions United in May.
Cesc Fabregas – who took his goal tally to nine at Wolves – has grown into his role as club captain. The Spain international claims the whole squad has shown the troubles of this period last season, when William Gallas was stripped of the armband after questioning the character of Wenger's youngsters, are now fully behind them.
"The issue with William is gone for us," Fabregas said. "We don't think about it any more and are happy with the way things are going. Even if we did not win anything last year, we were really close and in all the competitions right until the end, so the mood in the dressing room is always positive."
Fabregas paid tribute to the way the rest of the players helped him develop his leadership style. "The captaincy hasn't changed me at all," he said. "My team-mates have done a great job for me as well. They showed me they believe and help me with everything."
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