Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal deserve their place at the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners are currently one point clear of second-placed Manchester City heading into the second half of the season.

Despite going on a winless run of three games during the middle of December, Arteta believes that the team are now back on track as they look to win their first title since 2004.

"We had a little spell where we had a difficult time but we've come back, we're on four wins in a row and we're feeling good," the Spaniard told the club's official website.

"When you are playing catch up it's tough, you are relying on other teams to drop points every week. It becomes nearly impossible.

"But we are where we deserve to be now. I think teams are showing us more respect because we are the most consistent team in England through the year, from [last] January. That's what we have to keep doing now through the last three or four months of the season."

Arsenal continue their Premier League campaign on Monday night when they make the trip to Aston Villa.