Mikel Arteta makes 'better manager' joke after Arsenal defeat at Man City

Mikel Arteta has joked that Arsenal could have done with 'a better manager' for last week's 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.

The Gunners were blown away at the Etihad with a brace from Kevin De Bruyne and one goal each for John Stones and Erling Haaland handing City the advantage in the Premier League title race. Pep Guardiola's side briefly returned to the top with Sunday's 2-1 win over Fulham, before Arsenal reasserted their two-point gap by beating Chelsea on Tuesday.

City do have two games in hand on their rivals however and last Wednesday's commanding win handed them a major advantage in the race, although Arteta was upbeat when reflecting on the game ahead of his side hosting Chelsea.

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“Probably a better manager,” Arteta joked when asked what Arsenal needed at the Etihad. “They [City] were exceptional on the day, they raised the level to a level we could not reach on the day right from the beginning and there is no match for that. I cannot fault anything on the players.”

Asked what his aims are now, the Gunners boss added: “Play really well tonight, be us and win the game. If we win this game, we are top of the league again with four games to go.”

Three points against Chelsea re-established Arsenal in first place in the Premier League but City have one of their two games in hand on Wednesday, when they host West Ham at the Etihad. Guardiola's side will then face Leeds United on Saturday before the Gunners travel to Newcastle on Sunday.

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