Mikel Arteta makes title race point after Arsenal defeat to Man City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta insists he has taken the positives from Wednesday's defeat at home to Manchester City but knows his side must be more efficient in the title race.

The Gunners welcomed Pep Guardiola's side to the Emirates in midweek for the first of two potentially season-defining games. Goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland were enough to render Bukayo Saka's penalty academic and send City top of the Premier League for the first time since August.

In what has become the antithesis of a Guardiola side, City surrendered both possession and territory in North London before pouncing on Arsenal mistakes. The Gunners missed a number of quality chances before eventually falling short, and their performance was enough to encourage Arteta to insist he has more belief than ever in his squad.

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"I know the right things we have to do to continue to be there [at the top]," Arteta told the media ahead of his side's trip to Aston Villa on Saturday. "We have seen where the level is and what we have to do to be at that level.

"There are a lot of positive things to take, for sure, from the season so far [and Wednesday's defeat against City]. We know that the level of efficiency has to be good with every single game to beat them [City] at the end. We are highly motivated to do that."

An otherwise brilliant atmosphere at the Emirates was somewhat overshadowed by a small number of Arsenal fans throwing bottles at De Bruyne as he returned to the City bench. The Belgian had clashed with Arteta on the sideline shortly before being substituted off and had to dodge a number of missiles on his way around the pitch.

The FA confirmed shortly