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Mikel Arteta admits this 'is the best time' for Arsenal to lift the title amid the rise of state-owned rival clubs in the Premier League ahead of trip to Saudi-backed Newcastle

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes this is the 'best time' for his side to win the Premier League with state-owned clubs on the rise.

The Gunners' main title rivals, Manchester City, are owned by ADUG, the investment company of Emirati royal Sheikh Mansour whilst third placed Newcastle United, who Arteta's men face on Sunday, are owned by PIF, a Saudi investment fund.

With Qatari Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani tabling a world-record £5 billion bid for Manchester United last week, there is a possibility that three clubs in the Premier League would be owned by states.