Arteta claims rivals fans want to see Arsenal win Premier League

 lost the top spot in the Premier League after a 3-1 defeat against

on Wednesday. Man City is at the top due to goal difference, but Arsenal has a game in hand.

’s side has just one point from their last three games in the league.

Ahead of the game against Aston Villa, Arteta insisted that Manchester City has always been the favourites to win the Premier League this season.

“I don’t think we have ever been favourites, I don’t think that has changed,”

said Arteta.

“Man City have been the number one candidates from day one because they have been in that position for much of the last five years.

”

Arteta also believes that more neutrals want to see Arsenal beat Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

“That I agree with – because of what they see, people have a lot of sympathy for us, our players and the way we have done things,”

he said.

“Before the season, if you had to bet on someone, put some money or your house on somebody, I think a lot of people would have done something different.”

Arteta said they cannot control what other teams will do and urged his players to concentrate on themselves.

"What we can control is what we do,"

Arteta added.

"That's what I've been saying for three months. It's about what we do tomorrow. The energy we have to play with and how we're going to continue to believe in what we do. And to be more efficient.

"We cannot control what other teams will do. At the end of the day, come the end of May you're going to have to have a certain amount of points. Don't tell me how or where, but you're going to have to have those points.

"When you see yourself there and when you see the team performing and winning matches, you want to continue that. That is for sure."

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