Mikel Arteta credits Man City's 'individual quality' in top-of-the-table win vs. Arsenal

While Man City held more of the possession and created more shots on target, the Gunners struck woodwork twice in the second half. A few inches either way and it could've been a draw or Arsenal claiming a hard-fought victory, which Arteta was quick to point out after the final whistle.

"That's exactly that and when you don't do it and they have individual quality to deliver in those moments, you risk losing the game because I don't think there was any difference between the teams," the Arsenal manager told Sky Sports when asked about the fine margins of the match.

"There are a few elements. There is an element of luck with whether the ball goes in or not. [On] the second [Man City goal] the ball deflects, it goes to [Erling] Haaland.

"There is individual quality as well and there is, in that moment, to be so cool, precise and ruthless. You have to be that."

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While Arteta was left to lament the margins, what he was not disappointed in was the effort from his team. Arsenal have come under criticism this season for their pragmatic approach to games, but Sunday's match saw free-flowing play from both sides in an entertaining match between the two best sides in the Premier League.

"You could see at the end of the game, and right from the beginning, the attitude of the team," Arteta said. "We could have been a bit more composed in certain moments but we certainly took the game to where we wanted and we had big chances to win.

"We went very close but not close enough and now we have to accept we lost an opportunity today, a big one, but there are still five games to go. We need to reset and go again because there are a lot of positives to take from the game."

Arsenal remain league leaders after their loss, but Man City have now pulled to within three points of the Gunners and hold a game in hand, and they could pull level on points as early as Wednesday evening with a win against Burnley. The Sky Blues would leap to the top of the table with a multi-goal victory in that match, making Sunday's result that much tougher to swallow for Arteta's side.

However, the manager urged his players to have a short memory and continue to push forward for the remainder of the campaign.

"We have full belief that we can do it," he said. "Today we showed again the team that we are. It's in our hands and it's there for the taking."

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