Arsene Wenger Admits Nobody Can Stop Chelsea, Belittles Mathieu Flamini Strop

Arsene Wenger believes the Premier League title race is over. Just 11 games into the season, the Arsenal manager has suggested that no team will be able to catch Chelsea, who are currently on for a record-breaking haul of points after beating Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.

Wenger saw his side establish a hard-fought lead and then collapse to a 2-1 loss against Swansea, before he stated that nobody will test Jose Mourinho's men in the quest for domination, reported by Riath Al-Samarrai of the Daily Mail:

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Chelsea are on an average of 100 points this season. If you look at the number of points they have, if they keep that up nobody will catch them, that’s for sure. There doesn’t look to be anybody capable of challenging them at the moment.

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Arsenal are currently 12 points off the Premier League summit after winning just four of their opening 11 matches, per WhoScored.com. The Gunners sit one point clear of a Manchester United side who have grabbed many headlines for their poor form this campaign.

A home encounter with Louis van Gaal's men awaits on Nov. 22, providing Arsenal with an important opportunity to grab some points after the international break. Southampton, who are currently eight points ahead of Wenger's side, also visit the Emirates before the end of the year.

Worryingly, Arsenal's capitulation—both during the 3-3 draw with Anderlecht and defeat to the Swans—came after the side posted a solid first hour. Former England international Alan Shearer told Match of the Day 2 that the team's more experienced players should have greater influence when a lead is established, reported by Gerard Brand of the Mail Online:

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Arsenal have actually worked their socks off to get themselves in a winning position. Ten minutes later you've got seven people ahead of the ball in the final third. Per Mertesacker should be screaming to at least two or three of them to 'get back, give me some protection, we're winning 1-0, we don't need another goal.' It's naive.

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Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher also questioned Arsenal's progress, as seen below:

Mathieu Flamini was perhaps the most obvious culprit of ducking out of his responsibilities and embarrassed himself with a show of petulance at the Liberty Stadium.

Substituted for Jack Wilshere with 11 minutes to go, per WhoScored.com, the French midfielder reacted angrily and later stormed down the tunnel at the final whistle. Wenger, however, admitted his outburst "is not my biggest worry at the moment," reported by Al-Samarrai. Sky Sports offered an insight into what may be troubling the experienced manager the most:

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Wenger is correct to suggest that Chelsea are a cut above the rest, but Arsenal fans will no doubt be disappointed to hear the manager concede his side's title chances in November. 

Mourinho's squad have progressed through fixtures with Arsenal, Manchester City, United and Liverpool unbeaten this campaign and showed great character to battle from 1-0 down to take victory on Merseyside on Saturday. The west Londoners always appear to have extra quality in reserve when a push is needed.

Arsenal's squad appears to be a couple of world-class signings away from being legitimate title contenders this year, but it's alarming how little progress the team have made. Even with Alexis Sanchez in a purple patch of form, the side have been unable to see out two games that would have significantly aided their quest for Premier League and European success.

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Ultimately, the past week amounts to a missed opportunity for Arsenal. Even so, Wenger will take heart from knowing that none of the traditional top sides are performing particularly well this season—Chelsea aside.

Victory over United in their next domestic fixture would stand the Gunners in good stead heading into the busy Christmas run, even if the Blues continue to stride away from their nearest rivals.