Arsenal
Reuters

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes that the Gunners are the dark horses for the title this season.

The Gunners take on Chelsea in the fourth round of the Capital one Cup on Tuesday, which will give everyone a brief idea of the title credentials of either team this season. Arsenal have had an easier run of fixtures thus far of which the north London club have taken full advantage and are currently top of the league with 22 points, having won seven and lost only one of their last nine league fixtures.

Petit believes that the Gunners are favourites to win against Chelsea given that the Blues have had a tougher schedule thus far, having played Manchester City on Sunday. However, Jose Mourinho's return to the club is being heralded as a major breakthrough by the Frenchman and believes that the Portuguese manager will bring the Blues back to winning ways in the long run. Petit insists that the Gunners need to go all out in the Capital one Cup, as they have to end their eight season trophy drought and give their fans something to cheer about.

"I think Arsenal will probably just about win, mostly because Chelsea have a harder fixture schedule and having to play on Sunday rather than Saturday makes it that much tougher. Mourinho brings passion, fighting spirit and determination into the dressing room. He did that the first time around with Terry, Lampard and Drogba. Terry and Lampard are still there. Chelsea will always fight for every game. But I have a feeling that this could be Arsenal's season this year," Petit told the Mirror.

The Frenchman also expects his compatriot and former manager Arsene Wenger to stay beyond the end of this season and believes that the arrival of Mesut Ozil has reinvigorated him.

"I'm sure Wenger will stay with Arsenal, it's impossible to imagine the club without him. If the club does not win a trophy then it will be hard for him, but I think they will. But the fans must understand that he has been the best thing to ever happen to Arsenal and he is responsible for all the success in the past 17 years," he concluded.