Mikel Arteta; Manchester City have always been favourites for the Premier League title

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are underdogs in the title race and Manchester City have always been favourites.

Arsenal had been leading the way at the top of the League since the end of August, but City overtook them on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side beat the Gunners 3-1 at Emirates Stadium to move top of the table on goal difference, although Arsenal have a game in hand.

Momentum has duly swung City’s way in the title race, but Arteta believes the reigning champions have always been favourites anyway.

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

“Man City have been the No.1 candidates from day one because they have been in that position for much of the last five years.”

Arteta believes Arsenal, who travel to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime knowing a point will take them top, are getting extra support from opposing fans who want an underdog to win the League.

“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.”

Arsenal head to Villa Park looking to bounce back from their defeat to City, which came about by individual errors being their undoing.

Arteta’s side made mistakes for all of the goals they conceded, with City’s opener coming after Takehiro Tomiyasu under hit a back-pass to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Kevin De Bruyne pounced.

Backed: Arteta has leapt to the defence of Takehiro Tomiyasu after his slight mistake against Manchester City (Getty Images)

“I think if we had a bet with all the staff and players at Colney and said: ‘Someone has to do a clearance for us tomorrow, to win the League, we have to pick one player.’ I think we’d all pick Tomiyasu. All of us,” said Arteta.

“But this is football and these things happen. It doesn’t matter if you’re 22, 28 or 31.

“At the end of the day, the kids can make mistakes, yeah, and the more senior players as well. And we have made mistakes. Fortunately it hasn’t cost us that many points - but we have made quite a lot.”