Cesc Fabregas has insisted it is far too early to write Arsenal off and insists they can challenge for the title.

“We have no excuses for our recent results against Tottenham and Stoke and we cannot afford to lose today,” he writes in his column, “We have to learn from the mistakes we have made in recent games and put things right.”

“I am always hearing people say it’s the games against your top-four rivals which decide the title race,” he said before adding, “I don’t agree. Two seasons ago, we had the best record of top-four teams in games against each other. But we still didn’t win the league.”

“Arsenal’s philosophy is always to play good football and bring enjoyment to the supporters. But to win the game is the most important thing. And the most difficult thing. I cannot agree with claims that Arsenal do not have experience to win the title. We might be young but we are not inexperienced.”

“This is my sixth year at Arsenal and my fifth season in the side. As a team, we came of age last season when we went so close to winning the Premier League,” he said before concluding, “That convinced everyone at the club that we have the quality to be champions.”