Aaron Ramsdale has challenged his wounded Arsenal team-mates to use Manchester City and Liverpool as a yardstick when setting their sights on future Premier League success.
Having topped the table for large parts of this season, the Gunners relinquished any control on the title race when they were swept aside by City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. Belgium sensation Kevin De Bruyne led the way with two goals in that resounding 4-1 verdict.
As a result, Arsenal still lead the way from City and everyone else behind them. However, their advantage is now only two points - while the reigning champions also have two games in hand still to play.
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City have won the Premier League in four of the last five seasons with long-term competitors Liverpool the only team to break that sequence when they reigned supreme after the 2019/2020 campaign.
Meanwhile, in other years, it has been the Reds pushing City all the way.
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Speaking post-match, Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale pointed to that on-field rivalry as a measure and where the Gunners ultimately want to get to following their gut-wrenching setback. But the 24-year-old is still not giving hope this term despite Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team having a clear edge.
Ramsdale said: "You never know what can happen. Absolutely [this is the standard] and there is no question about it. They [City] have been one of the best teams in the last five years along with Liverpool.
"They could do the treble. They're in the Champions League quarters, semis and final most seasons. We want to get to that same level, doing it our own way and competing in four competitions."
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