Mikel Arteta gives verdict on Arsenal’s title hopes after crushing Man City defeat

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists there is still ‘everything to play for’ in the Premier League title despite their defeat against Manchester City.

The Gunners were thrashed 4-1 by City on Wednesday night, a result that could decide this season’s title race.

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The Gunners remain top of the league, but following four games without a win, City are now just two points behind and have as many games in hand.

City, on the other hand, are in unstoppable form heading into the final weeks of the season.

Suddenly, Arteta’s side could go trophyless despite their incredible season, but the Spaniard still believes there is everything to play for.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he said: “First of all I have to congratulate City. The better team won the game without a question of a doubt, and the disappointment comes with the way we performed, especially in the first half.

“We didn’t compete it, basically we lost every single duel in red areas, they got out of those red areas and attacked us in open spaces. We concede a set play, we concede a throw-in in our own half, and [Erling] Haaland is through on goal.

“It’s not nowhere near enough to win a game like that. It’s time to reflect, first of all accept the reality of what happened today and the fairness of the result and the performance, and now move on.

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“There is still everything to play for and we are still there.”

When asked how damaging a defeat is to their title hopes, he replied: “What we have to do is be very clever now, it’s damaging today and tomorrow we have to move on.”

Arteta added: “Nothing is easy. To be where we’re at against this team for nine-and-a-half months, believe me, there is nothing easy. But we have to do it, like we’ve done it for nine-and-a-half months.”

City took the lead at the Etihad Stadium after just seven minutes thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s strike.

The hosts doubled their advantage on the cusp of the break, with John Stones’ goal being awarded after a VAR check for offside.

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Arsenal provided little in response throughout much of the first half, and got off to the worst possible start in the second.

De Bruyne scored his second of the night nine minutes after the break, with City cruising towards all three points.

Rob Holding pulled one back for the Gunners, but Haaland netted his 49th goal of the season in stoppage time to complete the rout.