Mikel Arteta discusses Arsenal's reduced Premier League title odds
By Tom Gott
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted he is not concerned that the Gunners are no longer being viewed as favourites to win the Premier League title.
The Gunners still sit top of the table but saw their eight-point advantage over Manchester City reduced to six as result of their recent 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
City have also played one game fewer than their rivals and are due to meet Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on April 26, meaning both teams are now in control of their own fates, with City also narrowly boosted by their superior goal difference.
The statisticians over at Opta have ranked Arsenal's chances of winning the title at 46.9% compared to City's 53.1%, with the Gunners now losing their status as favourites which they first gained back in gameweek 18.
When alerted to the statistics during Friday's press conference, Arteta insisted he had no issues.
"When you asked [Opta] at the start of the season, it was like this [City as favourites]," he said. "So nothing has changed."
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Asked whether Arsenal will need some good fortune if they are to win the title, Arteta insisted every team challenging for any trophy needs to benefit from good luck.
"You need luck in the title race," he said. "That luck and what you think is going to happen. Sometimes it’s about inches and they have to go your way."
City boss Pep Guardiola was also similarly disinterested by his side's new favourites tag, admitting winning their game in hand against Brighton is by no means a guarantee.
"The reality is we are six points behind," said Guardiola. "Nobody can guarantee we are going to win the game in hand against Brighton - the best team in the world making the build-up. There is no team in the world better in modern football right now.
"Then, Arsenal at home. There is no guarantee of everything."
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