Mikel Arteta has 'belief' in Arsenal title challenge despite disappointment after Man City defeat
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Updated 16/02/2023 at 07:08 GMT
Manchester City secured a 3-1 win at Arsenal on Wednesday night after defensive errors cost Mikel Arteta's side the chance of three points to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. Now they are second, trailing City though with a game in hand, and Arteta explained that he nevertheless has confidence in his players as the title run-in looms.
'We really had them' - Arteta laments mistakes in defeat to title rivals Man City
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his “disappointment” over his side’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, but said he had more “belief” in his players following the game.
Manchester City went top of the Premier League after defensive errors from Arsenal cost them all three points, though Arsenal could go back in front if they win their game in hand on the current champions.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard believed that the moments where Arsenal had the away side on the back foot is a reason to feel the challengers can prosper in the title run-in to come.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Sport, Arteta said: “Disappointment because we lost it, I think 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 didn’t put them away.
“To beat them you have to be over our level because they are such a good team, we had them in big moments. In individual moments they were better than us.
“The second half as well, we had periods where we were really precise, but we had moments where we put ourselves in trouble, the way we gave the goals away.”
Discussing City’s tactical change in the second half, he said: “I saw that they were man-to-man, a little bit higher up on the press, but we didn’t really understand when to play in certain areas.
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Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 15, 2023 in London, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
“It was really good if you take away that you gave Manchester City goals. They are the best team in the world.
"I have more belief because I see a team that went head to head with them. I have more belief in my players.”
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