Mikel Arteta is still confident that Arsenal can win the Premier League this season. The Gunners experienced an extremely painful evening visiting Manchester City on Wednesday night. Arteta’s team was completely ignored at the Eithad Stadium and eventually went down 4-1 against the title competitor.
The big win saw City cut Arsenal’s lead to just two points, while the Citizens also played two fewer league matches. Kevin De Bruyne opened the score after seven minutes by shooting in a controlled manner from about twenty meters, after which John Stones headed the 2-0 against the ropes just before half time. Early in the second half, De Bruyne was again accurate, after which Rob Holding also put Arsenal on the scoreboard in the 85th minute. Erling Braut Haaland provided the final chord in stoppage time with his 33rd of the season.
Afterwards, Arteta could not hide his disappointment, but he emphasized that his team can still become champions this season. “The way we lost hurts, but we have to stand up and look at the bigger picture,” the Spanish manager said BT Sports. “The fact that we are competing for the title with this selection is incredible.”
“We want to keep fighting and not give up. There are still five games to go for us and anything can happen. I’ve seen a lot happen in more than twenty years and you have to hold on to that. Tonight (Wednesday, ed.) .) it is difficult, but we have to look in the mirror and accept that we lost against an exceptional team, and that is the level,” said Arteta.
City dominated the game from start to finish and could have won by an even bigger margin had it not been for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale making some excellent saves. Arteta’s team was unable to win the last four league matches and must win at home against Chelsea on Tuesday to keep their title aspirations alive. City have won their last seven Premier League matches and will visit Fulham on Sunday.