Rafa wary of Arsenal threat

The Gunners currently trail Liverpool and Chelsea by nine points with a third of the season gone. However, Benitez says it is too soon to write them off.

"It's too early for me," said the boss when asked if Arsenal's title challenge was over.

"Clearly they have enough quality in the squad. We still have to play against them and they have to play the other top sides in the second half of the season.

"It is a difficult situation for them because they have three teams ahead of them but it is too early."