Arsenal will have to win all of their five remaining games to have a chance of winning the Premier League title after being unable to compete with Manchester City, Mikel Arteta conceded.
Arsenal arrived at the Etihad on Wednesday with a five-point lead over City, albeit having played two games more, but missed the chance to extend that lead to eight as they produced a lacklustre performance against a rampant Blues side. City's 4-1 win means they are now two points behind Arsenal and can leapfrog the leaders with their two games more to play.
In a contest that was hotly contested at times, with some strong challenges, flashpoints between players, and plenty of needle, Arteta said that City were deserved winners, but refused to concede the title and told City that plenty can change in the final month of the season.
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Speaking at full time, Arteta said: "The analysis is clear. The better team won the game. They [City] were probably at their best, especially in the first half, and we were nowhere near our level. When that happens the gap becomes too big.
"The first 30 minutes all the basic things you have to do against an exceptional team in terms of competing, winning duels, understanding what the game requires, we didn't do it and we were punished.
"The stats said Arsenal were going to finish sixth or seventh and we are where we are with five games to go. Those players deserve a lot of credit after nine-and-a-half months being here. And there are still five games to play. In 22 years in this country I've seen a lot of things and there are not two equal games in this league.
"First we have to lift our players who suffered tonight, playing against an exceptional team tonight. But we are an exceptional team as well but today we were not at the races."
With only five games left compared to City's seven, Arteta accepted that maximum points will be Arsenal's only chance of winning the title when pressed, but is only focussing on their next game against Chelsea next Tuesday night.
"We have to accept the reality and that is the best way to move forward. They were better than us and deserved to win the game. We never had a chance to win the game and we have to improve and be humble enough to accept that. To do that you will be better.
"I don't know what is going to be required. We first have to lift the players up tonight because they suffer and it was difficult to swallow. Do everything we have done so well in the next match to earn the right to win it. That's where we have to start."
Pressed on whether five wins from five would be needed, Arteta replied: "I think so", setting City a target of 18 points from their remaining fixtures.
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