Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists they're the people's favourite in this season's title.

Arteta is convinced that most people still want his team to win and is determined to tap into that public support.

Ahead of the trip to Aston Villa, Arteta said: “People want us to win the title because they have a lot of sympathy for us, for our players and the way we have done things.

“But I don't think we have ever been the favourites and that hasn't changed.

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

“Before this season, if you had to bet your house on one team, I don't think a lot of people would have put their money on us.

“But when you see the team performing and winning matches like we have been doing this season, there is more enthusiasm to try to achieve something bigger.

“We have not had many situations to win the title recently, but we want to be in the mix.

“It doesn't happen overnight and we cannot control what other teams will do, so the only challenge is to win our next game because what happens in the table this weekend is going to change in three weeks' time, that's for sure."