Mikel Arteta picks title favourites between Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has named Liverpool as the favourites for the Premier League title - but warned that Arsenal are ready to challenge for the gong. The Spaniard, who was part of the midfield the last time the Gunners triumphed at Anfield in September 2012, is now eager to orchestrate a victory as the club's boss and put an end to Arsenal's agonising 21-year wait for top-tier glory.

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Anfield, he said: "Well, I think the favourite is always the one that won the previous year and that's it. Then somebody else has to come and take that crown away from them. That's what I suppose the rest of us are going to try to do.

"We've already started with the first two games in the Premier League [with wins] and if that's the end, it can't get better than that."

Arteta has yet to secure a league victory at Anfield or the Etihad Stadium, two of the only grounds where he hasn't recorded a win.

Arsenal may be without seven key players for their upcoming match, with Bukayo Saka sidelined for "weeks" due to a hamstring injury and Kai Havertz recovering from knee surgery.

Arteta also disclosed that captain Martin Odegaard has not trained because of a shoulder problem, while Leandro Trossard, Christian Norgaard and Ben White are all fitness concerns.

He added: "We don't know with Martin, he hasn't trained yet.

"If he does it will be tomorrow but he's doing everything he can, we're doing everything we can to make him available but we'll have to wait and see."

Arsenal have remained undefeated in their last six Premier League matches against Liverpool.