Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has praised Arsenal and believes that they will compete for the Premier League title this year.

After recruiting Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla in the summer, the Gunners remain unbeaten this season, having drawn 1-1 at Manchester City on Sunday.

The former Chelsea boss clashed with the North Londoners during his time in England but says that he is full of respect for Arsenal and that they are the dark horses in the race for the title.

"I think Arsenal is coming again. I like this Arsenal team," Mourinho said "I know they've lost some players but I like the way Arsene [Wenger] is building this team and I think they can be a positive surprise [in the title race].

"I am not critical [of Arsenal in the past]. When you are in the same championship and your teams are rivals in the same City and you play local derbies and cup finals, it is normal that you will have a little bit of a rivalry. But the respect was always there.

"I like this team more than the one from previous seasons despite losing a very good player like [Robin] van Persie."

Mourinho left Chelsea in 2007.