Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to accept that his side are out of the title race after their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba led Chelsea to victory, scoring both goals in the first-half and sending his team back to the top of the Premier League and nine points clear of Arsenal.

Wenger admitted his disappointment at conceding so early in the game but praised his sides performance.

"We put ourselves in a very difficult position away from home - 2-0 and their first goal comes from a corner," he said.

"The team gave a great spirited performance against a good side and it's difficult to accept a defeat like that.

"But when you’re not awake from the first set piece it’s difficult at that level. That’s where we were guilty but apart from that it was an outstanding performance."

The Arsenal manager still thinks his side have a chance of winning the title though and can push Chelsea and Manchester United until the end of the season

"We are not out of it and it doesn’t matter, we want to fight until the last day of the season," he said.

"That is what we want to achieve and there are positives that we can take from our performance.

"I believe we are improving and we are a very young side which some people forget."
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