Arteta makes surprise Premier League title admission after Arsenal lose to City

15 February 2023 , 22:47

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Mikel Arteta insists he now has MORE belief that his side can win the Premier League despite being knocked off the top of the table by Manchester City.

The Gunners went down 3-1 at home to City, where Arteta used to work as assistant boss to Pep Guardiola, as Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland struck decisive second half goals.

Prior to those, Kevin De Bruyne had seen his lofted effort cancelled out by Bukayo Saka's penalty.

Arteta was determined for his side to stick together after the game though, with the Gunners having now taken just one point from their last three games.

"At the end it is disappointment because we lost. And I mean WE lost it," he told Amazon Prime Video.

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"It was an incredible battle between two teams and when we had them we gave them the goals. On the other hand, we had three big chances and we did not put them away.

"To beat them we have to be above our level because of the quality they have. We matched them and had them in moments, but the games are defined by individual moments in the box and they were better than us.

Arteta is determined for his team to stick together (IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

"We were really imprecise in starts of play, we didn't read situations well enough and played fast when we didn't have any advantage and put ourselves in trouble. OK, we can accept that. But the way we gave away the goals at this level, it is not possible.

"I didn't see any difference there with City in the second-half. They went man to man in many situations. We got out of the press in some situations but we didn't understand when to play and what type of balls to play in certain areas and we got punished.

"The atmosphere and performance were really good if you take away that we gave Manchester City three goals. I don't know what more I can demand from the players to match that level. They are the best team in the world and we matched that level. After it is just about doing certain things better to beat them.

"I have more belief [to win the league] because I see a team going head-to-head with them. You have to go to the next one and in three days we have another game. I have more belief in my players."

Guardiola played down the significance of the win, and said he expects Arsenal to sustain a title challenge.

"If they win the game in hand they are top of the league," he told Amazon Prime Video.

Guardiola expects Arsenal to fight to the finish (Getty Images)

"What they have done is incredible and we are still there. This league will be decided for the last eight or 10 games. There are 15 to go. It is a lot and the Champions League is coming. Many games and tiring for the players.

"It is important that we are here because six points if we lose and maybe nine points hypothetically, it is not easy. Especially for the way we behave in the second half, with a lot of personality to do it."