Mikel Arteta identifies difference between Arsenal and Man City after Blues' 3-1 win

Mikel Arteta claims he has 'more belief' than ever in his Arsenal players' title credentials but suggested ruthlessness in front of goal was the difference between Manchester City and his Gunners side on Wednesday night.

City came away from North London with three points after what could end up a season-defining clash thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland. The Belgian midfielder's lobbed finish was cancelled out by a Bukayo Saka penalty to send both sides into the break even, but a battling City managed to take control as the hour mark passed, pouncing on another mistake from the home side.

Pep Guardiola's side conceded possession and territory for the majority of the 90 minutes but were clinical when needed, while Arsenal found themselves unable to turn their dominance into clear-cut chances or goals. Defeat for Arteta leaves his side trailing in the league for the first time since August, but the Spaniard remained defiant by insisting he remains confident.

LIVE: Arsenal vs City as it happened

“In the end it’s disappointing because we lost,” Arteta told Prime Video after the game. “It was an incredible battle between two teams and when we had them we just gave them the goals. This team [City] will destroy you and then we had three big big chances and couldn't put them away.

“To beat them we had to be over our level because they are such a good team with the quality they have. But I think we matched them and had them in big moments. But in these moments especially in the box they were better than us.

“I didn’t see any difference [in City during the second-half] they were man-to-man and were a little higher up but we got out of the press in many situations but then didn't understand