“More convinced than ever” – Mikel Arteta sends strong title message after Arsenal defeat to Man City

Mikel Arteta refused to let disappointment overshadow belief after Arsenal’s narrow defeat to Manchester City, insisting his players are now even more convinced they can win the Premier League title.

The Gunners were beaten 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal in a match that could prove crucial in the title race. The result reduced Arsenal’s lead at the top to just three points, while City also hold a game in hand. If Pep Guardiola’s side win their next fixture against Burnley, they will move above Arsenal on goal difference.

Despite the setback, Arteta struck a defiant tone, focusing on the bigger picture rather than the immediate result. With five games left to play, the Arsenal manager made it clear that the title race remains wide open.

“I believe today, I believed on Wednesday, a week ago because I see them every day and I know the level that we have,” Arteta said after the match.

“But today if the players need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. They were talking about it in the dressing room.”

Arteta’s message was simple: nothing has been decided yet. While the pressure is increasing, Arsenal still have control over their own destiny.

“It’s a new league now,” he added. “They have a game in hand. We have three points of advantage and five games to play. So everything is still to play for.

“We’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”

The match itself offered a mix of encouragement and frustration for Arsenal. They conceded early after Rayan Cherki drove into the box and beat David Raya, putting City ahead. It was not the start Arteta’s side had hoped for, especially in such a high-stakes encounter.

However, their response was immediate. Within two minutes, Kai Havertz capitalised on a mistake by Gianluigi Donnarumma, charging down a clearance to bring Arsenal level. The quick reply showed the resilience Arteta has often praised this season.

From that point on, Arsenal held their own for long spells. They pressed high, moved the ball with confidence, and created several promising opportunities. At times, they looked capable of taking all three points.

But as the game wore on, the difference between the two sides became clear in key moments.

Haaland’s winning goal ultimately settled the contest, while Arsenal were left to reflect on missed chances — none more significant than Havertz’s late opportunity in stoppage time. After being picked out by a precise cross from Leandro Trossard, Havertz rose well but sent his header over the bar.

It was a moment that summed up Arsenal’s night.

Arteta acknowledged that the decisive factor was not effort or approach, but efficiency in both penalty areas.

“We came here to win the game,” he said. “I think the message was clear from three days before. We prepared to do that, to take the game to the areas that we believe we could win it.

“We certainly done that, even though we started the game with a goal down and psychologically we had to play with that. We’ve done it. So we proved that we are there.

“But the reality is in the two boxes today was a difference and that’s what decided the game.”

That assessment reflects a recurring theme in tight, high-level matches. Arsenal showed they can compete with one of the strongest teams in Europe, but small margins proved costly.

The defeat also came during a challenging period for the Gunners, who have now lost four of their last six matches in all competitions. Even so, Arteta dismissed the idea that his players need lifting ahead of the final stretch of the season.

“I mean if I have to pick the players to win the Premier League with five games to go in our hands and be in the final of the Champions League, I think I should be at home,” he said.

“So it’s not the case. It’s not needed. It’s never been needed, even in difficult moments.”

Those comments underline the trust Arteta has in his squad. He believes their mentality and quality remain strong enough to handle the pressure of a title run-in.

Attention now turns to the next fixture, with Newcastle set to visit the Emirates Stadium. With so little margin for error, every game carries significant weight.

Arsenal’s position is still strong on paper, but the momentum appears to be shifting. City’s experience in title races is well known, and their game in hand adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Yet Arteta’s confidence suggests that internally, the belief has not wavered.