Mikel Arteta says that Arsenal still believe they can claim the title even after dropping points in the potential decider against Manchester City at the Etihad. Gunners manager Arteta emerged defiant following a devastating defeat at the Etihad and surprisingly declared he has even greater belief after their spirited performance.
City can move top on goal difference if they secure victory in their game in hand at Burnley on Wednesday evening but Arteta says his squad are prepared for the direct confrontation in the final five matches. Arteta said: “if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. They were talking about it in the dressing room.
“It’s a new league now. They were a game in hand. We have three points of advantage and five games to play. So everything is still to play for.
“So we know how much we’ve won it and we’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure. Obviously, they were very disappointed not to get a result from the game in the manner that it happened.
“That’s the feeling, immediately you could tell that they were talking about, and they said okay, we lost an opportunity today, but we have the biggest one now in the next five games, so let’s do it.”
Kai Havertz restored parity for Arsenal but then squandered a golden opportunity in the 95th minute to secure a point which would have genuinely shifted the race in their direction.
Arsenal also struck the frame twice and captain Martin Odegaard maintained they can still claim the title. Odegaard said: “Disappointed not to win. Obviously we wanted to get a result and we were really up for it today. We played a good game, we pressed really well.
“Especially in the second half we looked dangerous, big moments in front of goal. Small margins to decide a game like this and we weren’t sharp enough in front of goal and that’s why we go home with nothing.
“That’s football at this level. It was always going to be like that. Very intense, very tough. Small margins. Frustrating but a lot of good things in the game from us. Now it’s about looking forward to the next game to bounce back.”
