"Probably not..." Arteta makes honest title race claim ahead of Premier League clash against Aston Villa

Mikel Arteta has revealed his honest reaction to Arsenal's current league position, as his side eye their first domestic title since 2004.

Arsenal travel to Aston Villa to get the weekend's Premier League action underway on Saturday, with Arteta aiming to reclaim top spot in the table.

The Gunners have taken the Premier League by storm this season but have suffered a recent dip in form, taking just one point from their last three matches.

Anything barring a loss today will see them leapfrog Manchester City into first place, with the title race seemingly in their hands.

Arteta's honest reaction to title race

However, Arteta revealed he was surprised by their league position.

On BT Sport, former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch poised the question: "Would you say you're ahead of schedule for where you are as a club at the moment, or did you always think a title challenge could be on the cards this year?"

Arteta responded with a smirk: "Probably not. But we are here and we want to make the best out of it that's for sure."

However, when asked what he learned from his players in their game against Manchester City, the Spaniard replied, "that we can do it," inspiring confidence amongst supporters.

Pep Guardiola's side face Nottingham Forest later on Saturday.

Arteta rings the changes

Arteta has made two key changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Ben White returns to right-back in Takehiro Tomiyasu's place, after the Japanese international gifted Kevin De Bruyne City's opening goal.

Meanwhile, new signing Leandro gets his first Premier League start for the club, with Gabriel Martinelli resigned to the bench.

Explaining the decision, Arteta told BT Sport: "It is to give Leandro [Trossard] the chance he deserves in the starting 11.

"He has been impacting the team every time he has been on the field and we needed some changes and some energy as well in the front line."

Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe returns to the substitutes' bench. Although Thomas Partey has not been passed fit for the contest.