Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fires Premier League title warning to ‘different’ Man City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted the Premier League title battle is not over as the Gunners try to overhaul a Manchester City side that he believes have taken their game ‘to a different level’.

Arteta’s men have been frontrunners in the race to claim their first title since 2003 after showing a remarkable level of consistency throughout what has been an impressive season for the former City assistant and his players. But recent draws with West Ham United and Southampton gave City a chance to seize control and push ahead as they look to retain the title they won last May.

Last week’s eagerly anticipated clash between the two sides went the way of the men from the Etihad Stadium as they blew away the Gunners with a devastating display and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to build on that win with a hard-earned three points at Fulham on Sunday afternoon. That means they head into the midweek fixtures with a one-point lead over Arsenal and have the benefit of holding a game in hand on their title rivals. Arteta gave an honest opinion on where his squad lies ahead of the final five games of a long season and is adamant they will continue putting pressure on City during the run-in.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s home clash with Chelsea, the Gunners boss said: “The reality check is as well that you have to step up to that level for 10 months, so we have to believe in what we do because we are so good as well.” Arteta also admitted it has been a bit of a struggle to lift the players’ spirits after the loss.

“It is difficult but in sport you have to accept the reality, and when a team is able to take the game to a different level and you’re not able to step up to that, you have to recognise that there is still work to do, not get confused, be very humble and recognise what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are to be better.

“The reality is as well that for 247 days we have been with them, and tomorrow can be another where we are still there. There are five games to go so there are a lot of things that we have done well for 10 months. Now it is not in our hands, but what is in our hands is to win our games. That’s what we are going to try to do and the rest is down to City.”

City are back in action on Wednesday night when West Ham United travel to the Etihad Stadium.