Everton manager Sean Dyche has suggested that Arsenal's work rate could be a factor in deciding the Premier League title race against Manchester City.
Before Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola's squad found themselves two points behind the Gunners, who had a game in hand over them. That extra match was played in midweek and saw Mikel Arteta's side extend their lead over City.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, a Gabriel Martinelli brace and Martin Odegaard secured a comfortable victory for Arsenal. Back in February, Everton shocked the North London club at Goodison Park, during Dyche's first game in charge.
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Speaking to Premier League Productions post-match, the former Burnley manager explained where he saw the leaders had improved ahead of the run-in. "They played well in the first period but they couldn’t break us down," he said.
"That was pleasing for us, lots of teams have to do that at places like this, we know that. Second half they showed what a side they are.
"I said to my players: 'What you’ve got to remember is it’s not just about their ability.' At the end they’re closing down, they’re pressing, they save one off the line because they’re throwing bodies at it.
"That’s what wins titles. That’s the feeling of a group that wins titles. I’m not saying they’ve won it by any means, Man City are fantastic but you look at their [Arsenal’s] work ethic. They knew because they came to Goodison, we put in a real shift and gathered a way of playing to protect a lead as well and seeing the game through, they responded."
As Dyche suggested in his post-match interview, the title race is by no means over at this stage. Arsenal still have to travel to the Etihad before the end of the campaign and still have to face Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Brighton too.
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