Early to say Arsenal are EPL title contenders: Giggs

Manchester – Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs believes it is still early to pick Sunday’s opponent, Arsenal, as the English Premier League title contenders.

Arsenal, who returned with a morale boosting victory over Dortmund in mid-week, are five points clear of the English top flight table after 10 rounds and eight points ahead of Manchester United.

“It’s still relatively early in the season,” the veteran player told Xinhua Friday, when a three-year partnership was launched between United and Bulova, the club’s official timekeeper and global partner.

“I think around Christmas, around the new year historically, you see where you are and where other teams are, then try to push on for that.”

The 39-year-old admitted that it would be a tough match especially after the Gunners started the month with two big wins.

“It is the big match. Arsenal is the form team. They had a very good week, beating Liverpool, beating Dortmund.”

Though starting slower than the London rival this season, Giggs believes the defending champions still have time to catch up with the leaders.

“As the reigning champions, our aspiration is to try to win the league. That’s what this club is all about. Try to win things.”

“We haven’t got a great start. But it is still early in the season. If we win Sunday, go into two-week international break, we will be ok.”

The managerial role of Man United was regarded as “big shoes to fill in” after Alex Ferguson retired at the end of last season.

But Giggs, with both player and coach role in the team, showed his belief that under David Moyes, the current manager, they can get the job done.

“I enjoy working under the manager. Myself is a player-coach as well. He is a very good manager, very good coach. We are on a good run. We feel like eventually we will get there.”

Giggs was joined by Wayne Rooney and several other teammates at the launch ceremony at the training complex in the morning.