Former Chelsea star delivers Premier League title verdict and where Arsenal stand in race

Florent Malouda believes that Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool are in the Premier League title race - but doesn't think former club Chelsea are in the mix right now. Enzo Maresca's side have made a solid start to the season, picking up 14 points from their opening seven top-flight matches.

Chelsea sit fourth, three points behind third-place City and Arsenal in second, while leaders Liverpool are four points in front. The Blues can, however, on Sunday. That fixture is the start of a difficult-looking run, with Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal to follow before the November international break.

As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta's men have won five of their first seven, drawing against Brighton at home and away at Manchester City. City post the same record, while Liverpool are the only team to have won six matches, though they have lost once at home to Nottingham Forest.

Delivering his opinion on the title race, Malouda told : "I think we can talk about a three-way title race between Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool. Chelsea should be aiming for that, but for now we don’t have enough experience of being in a title race with these young players. I think Liverpool are capable of pushing, as are Arsenal.

"I think its good for the Premier League that there are going to be three teams competing for the title this season. I expect the title race to go right up until the last game this season. The favourites are Man City. I think they have the experience and they’re trying to make history again by winning a fifth title in a row. I hope there will be a different champion, but for now they are the favourite."

He added: "Chelsea could sneak into the top three: From what I saw at the beginning of the season, Chelsea will definitely be up there. I actually think that they could sneak into that top three and challenge the best teams in the Premier League. Chelsea need to be challenging the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

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"I think Chelsea are a little bit short in terms of competing for the Premier League title. I think Chelsea’s biggest challenge for the top four will come from Aston Villa. I have my doubts about Tottenham’s ability to last the distance in terms of challenging for the last place in the Champions League."