- Mikel Arteta praised his team’s determination in denying the hosts three points
- The result leaves Guardiola’s men three points off the top and one point behind Arsenal
- Why a defeat against Arsenal will be curtains for Manchester City’s title defense – Listen to the Podcast Everything is beginning
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Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal have shown they are capable of withstanding the heat of a Premier League title race but still demands more from his team.
While the Gunners had just 28 per cent of the possession against Manchester City, they limited the defending champions to minimal chances of earning a vital point.
It allowed Liverpool to take charge, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are now three points clear, but Arteta insisted the draw has shown how his team have emerged as serious rivals.
“We are improving, competing better and understanding how to compete in these games,” Arteta said. “There is another step to take to win championships and that is that you have to win.” Today we were able to tie and we still have to improve a lot to win.
‘The bad thing is that we had some situations to score. We don’t make the most of it. “I think the next step is to have composure with the ball.”
‘Eleven months ago we were here and the story was very different’ Arteta said after the match
Mikel Arteta clashed with his former boss Pep Guardiola when he took his Arsenal to the Etihad
Arsenal were beaten 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium during last year’s clash but were able to shut down City in a resolute display.
Pep Guardiola has seen his team fail to beat any of the top five so far this season
Arsenal were beaten 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium during last year’s clash but were able to shut down City in a determined display that showcased the partnership between Gabriel and William Saliba.
“We can’t be satisfied when we tie, but it’s okay,” Saliba said. ‘We learn from some games we can’t win. We don’t have to lose and we didn’t, so we did well. We leave with one point but we are not satisfied.”
Arteta added: ‘Eleven months ago we were here and the story was very different. We have to take steps as a team and today we did it. We still have many more to come.
‘You want to win the game. You prepare to win it. If you can’t win it, make sure you draw it. We did that.
“In my opinion, City are by far the best team in the world. They have the best coach in the world by far. Catching up and trying to overcome them is the challenge ahead of us.”
Pep Guardiola has seen his team fail to beat any of the top five so far this season, with Arsenal keeping two clean sheets to take four points off the champions, but insists they can still have a say in the race for the title.
“The numbers are here, but apart from Arsenal who were out (most of) the others were really good,” Guardiola said. ‘The villa away was the worst. The rest we have done very well.”
