Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has insisted that the club must play 20 matches before they can be considered as contenders for the Premier League title.

Arsenal are undefeated from their opening five matches of the season, which have included a 2-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield and a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but Podolski believes that it is too early to be talking about the league title.

Podolski told Sky Sports News: "You have five, six teams to fight for the championship. We are one of the teams and the start was very good for us.

"We have nine points but it's too early to speak about the championship. We must wait to play 20 matches and then we must see how it is and I ask whether we fight or we don't fight for the championship."

Podolski is expected to start Saturday's London derby with Chelsea.