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Manchester City are stronger than Chelsea, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger praised Manchester City's attacking capabilities © Getty Images

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Manchester City are the most "complete" team in the Premier League, despite Chelsea sitting five points above them at the top of the table.

Chelsea have started their league campaign in impressive fashion, winning six games out of seven and only dropping points in the 1-1 draw at City.

With new signings Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas settling in quickly at Stamford Bridge, some feel the title is already Chelsea's to lose but Wenger, who has had a stormy relationship with counterpart Jose Mourinho, is refusing to rule out the reigning Premier League champions.

"I believe that maybe, going forward, City are a bit more complete," he told beIN Sports. "City are more offensive. Chelsea defensively are better, but it's very difficult to say who will be in front."

Arsenal already sit nine points behind league leaders Chelsea in eighth place after just seven games. However, despite his side's frustrating start to the season, which has brought with it four draws, Wenger insists their title chances are not over yet.

"What we want to do is be in front of both of them [Chelsea and City]," Wenger said. "[The gap] is massive - nine points after seven games, I agree completely, but it is not lost."

There is little love lost between Wenger and Mourinho, with their long-running feud infecting encounters between the two sides. Arsenal's last game before the international break was a 2-0 loss at Chelsea, with the London side ultimately proving too strong for their opponents.

The defeat meant Wenger's winless run against Jose Mourinho was extended to 12 games, and the Frenchman admits the "traumatic" result was difficult to take.

"I've watched the Chelsea game again and we were guilty of not taking the first chances which were there for us and guilty of making a defensive mistake on their goal but there was very little between the two teams on the day," he said.

"I think we came out angry and frustrated but also coming that we have an important part to play in this championship. We can only look at ourselves and think if we want to get something out of the big games we cannot afford to make the mistakes we made on the two goals.

"It was traumatic for me. The way we lost was very difficult to take. The quality of the team is to make the maximum with what you produce on the day and that's where we failed."

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