Mikel Arteta claims most neutrals want Arsenal to BEAT City to title
‘People have a lot of sympathy for us’: Mikel Arteta claims most neutrals want Arsenal to BEAT Manchester City to the Premier League title as the Gunners boss says his team have ‘never been favourites’
- Manchester City went top of the Premier League table after a 3-1 win at Arsenal
- He feels people have seen ‘the way Arsenal do things’ as they aim to regain lead
- Gunners travel to Villa Park for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off trailing their rivals
Mikel Arteta has claimed most neutrals want Arsenal to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.
City returned to the top of the table on goal difference after a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Gunners boss feels people have seen ‘the way Arsenal do things’ as they aim to regain top spot.
When asked if he believes more rival fans now want Arsenal to win the title, the Spaniard, 40, replied: ‘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.
Mikel Arteta has claimed most neutrals want Arsenal to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title
The Gunners boss feels people have seen ‘the way Arsenal do things’ as they aim to regain top spot. Pictured: Pep Guardiola
‘I don’t think we have ever been favourites, I don’t think that has changed. 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.
‘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 (than choose Arsenal).’
He added: ‘What we can control is what we do. 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.
‘You have to do things consistently, at an extremely high level. And you have to have all the players available as well. To have the capacity to rotate, to have the capacity when players are not in the best moment to change them.
‘That is what we are looking to do. But I think a highly motivated team, with a highly motivated crowd that wants to help you, I think it is an extraordinary thing to have.’
Takehiro Tomiyasu tangles with Phil Foden during Wednesday night’s clash at the Emirates Stadium
The Gunners travel to Villa Park for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off trailing their rivals.
They have now lost three of their last four matches in all competitions, but do have a game in hand.
Arsenal finished eighth two years in a row under Arteta before narrowly missing out on a place in the top four last season.
They have surprised many onlookers by putting together a run which has them right in the title mix, something that has also seen expectations altered since the season began.
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