This is the most “Difficult” Premier League title race ever – Arsenal’s midfield metronome admits

Mikel Arteta has warned title rivals that Arsenal are more than ready to defend their position at the top of the table, but admitted that this is the toughest Premier League season to date.

Arsenal have enjoyed a superb first half of the season and sit top of the pile currently, but could be down in third by the time they kick off their next match away to Aston Villa on Monday.

Arteta has conceded that this is the toughest Premier League season he can remember in terms of teams competing at the top, but is confident his side can go the distance and lift silverware in May.

The Spanish midfielder said, “It would be massive (to win the title). It would mean a lot to everyone. It’s a long time since we’ve done it.

“I think the Premier League this year is the most difficult one since it existed.

“I think you have four or five teams looking to win it. We’re going to put everything in to win it.

“We had a little spell where we had a difficult time, but we’ve come back and we’re feeling good.

“It was a little blip but the schedule was crazy in those three days (between losses to Manchester City and Napoli).

Arsenal will be looking for revenge as they visit Aston Villa, having suffered what has become a rare defeat in the opening game of the season, going down 3-1 to the Villains at the Emirates Stadium.

Can Arteta be the tonic for Arsenal’s title challenge?

Arteta has completed a mightily impressive 92% of his passes, encompassing 771 successful passes this campaign.

Despite being used primarily in the anchoring role, Arteta could be more proactive in the opposition half however, failing to claim an assist from the miserly five chances he has created, while he has only managed three shots on goal all season, hitting the target with just the one.