Arsenal's nine-point lead at Premier League summit means 'nothing', says Arteta

Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal's nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League means "nothing", despite putting more pressure on Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola's side face Liverpool on Sunday, knowing a win would close the gap back to six points, while a defeat would leave them with a mountain to climb in the final 13 games.

Arsenal dug in to earn a 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, which opened up their lead at the summit.

It is the first time they have ended a day at least nine points clear at the top of the Premier League since the final day of their 2003-04 title-winning campaign (11).

Arsenal have now won their last two matches in the Premier League, following a three-game run without a victory, but Arteta is not getting ahead of himself in the title race.

Asked what the gap meant at this stage of the season, Arteta responded: "Nothing.

"We still have to win so many games to achieve what we want, so let's not focus on that. That's something else.

"We've done our job now, we've had what we have to do, assess that, try to improve it and get ready for Brentford [on Thursday]."

Arsenal remain heavy favourites to win the Premier League according to the Opta supercomputer, winning 93.6% of the simulations.

Man City's chances sit at just 4.6%, with Aston Villa's hopes dropping to 1.6% after they drew with Bournemouth on Saturday.

Fifth-placed Chelsea are the only other team with a chance of winning the title, though it is a meagre 0.1%.